Santanina Rasul
COTABATO CITY 鈥� Leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) paid tribute to the late former Sen. Santanina Rasul as the voice of the Moro people in the Senate.
Rasul died last Nov. 28. She was 94.
READ: Santanina Rasul, nation鈥檚 first and only woman Muslim senator; 94
鈥淎s the first Muslim woman senator in the Philippines, Senator Nina blazed a trail of service and advocacy for the Bangsamoro people. Her remarkable contributions spanned (the fields of) education, women鈥檚 rights and the pursuit of peace and development, ensuring that the voices of the Moro people were heard and represented in the Senate,鈥� said BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod 鈥淎l Haj Murad鈥� Ebrahim in a statement on Saturday.
鈥淗er legacy has left an indelible mark on the lives of all Bangsamoro and Filipinos,鈥� Ebrahim added.
Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said Rasul鈥檚 鈥渢ireless advocacy for education, women鈥檚 rights, and marginalized communities will forever be remembered as a source of pride and inspiration for our people.鈥�
Adiong describes the late lawmaker from Sulu as among the country鈥檚 illustrious leaders.
House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Senator Rasul is best remembered for sponsoring and pushing for the passage of a bill that later became Republic Act No. 7192 or the 鈥淲omen in Development and Nation-Building Act鈥� that opened the Philippine Military Academy for women.
She was also the primary author of Republic Act No. 6949 that declared every 8th day of March as National Women鈥檚 Day.
鈥淗er contribution in education, women鈥檚 rights and the Mindanao peace process inspired many Bangsamoro, including this representation,鈥� Hataman said in a statement. 鈥淗er legacy will forever remain in the heart of every Filipino,鈥� the Basilan solon added.
Former BARMM interior minister Naguib Sinarimbo said Rasul 鈥渞epresented well the interest of her people and that of women in this country.鈥�
鈥淪he leaves a legacy of great work including the legislation that granted permanent status to government workers who have served long and well in government but are unfortunately not civil service eligible,鈥� Sinarimbo noted.
鈥淭hank you Sen. Nina for showing me the world of kindness and practice through the Magbassa Kita Foundation and Senate. You paved the way for public service for shy , fearful young women like us,鈥� said Maranao women leader Samira Gutoc.
Bong Radzak of Young Moro Professionals Network said Rasul paved the way for longtime government workers to acquire civil service eligibility, hence, elevating their employment status.
The measure Rasul shepherded into law gives government employees who reach seven years in government services, either through contract of service, contractual, consultant, casual, coterminous and temporary appointments, to become permanent employees. REPORTS FROM DREMA BRAVO, EDWIN FERNANDEZ, TAHER SOLAIMAN