Santanina Rasul, Philippines’ first female Muslim senator, dies at 94
MANILA, Philippines – Santanina “Nina” Rasul, the country’s first female Muslim senator, has died, the Senate announced on Friday November 29.
She died on Thursday, November 28, at the age of 94, the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau said.
Editor’s Note: The following quote was initially attributed to former finance undersecretary Romeo Bernardo, the son-in-law of Rasul. He just shared the Senate statement on his social media page.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of former Senator Santanina Tillah Rasul, a trailblazer, legislator, educator, and beloved mother and grandmother, on November 28, 2024. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. To God we belong, and to Him we shall return,” Senate spokesperson Arnel Bañas said in a statement sent to media.
Rasul served as senator from 1987 to 1995. She authored Republic Act No. 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act, which paved the way for the entry of women in the Philippine Military Academy, among others. She also sponsored RA 6949 declaring March 8 as National Women’s Day.
She was a member of the government peace panel that successful negotiated peace talks with the Moro National Liberation Front under the Fidel V. Ramos administration.
Rasul was born in Siasi, Sulu. She earned her political science degree from the University of the Philippines in 1952, her Master’s degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines in 1976, and her doctorate in public administration from the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance in 1978.
Rasul first served in government as a public school teacher in Siasi and Jolo in 1950s. She served as village councilor in Jolo in the early 1960s, then as a Sulu Provincial Board member from 1971 to 1976.
She also served as commissioner representing Muslim and other ethics minorities from 1978 to 1987.
After the Senate, Rasul continued her advocacy to combat illiteracy through the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Incorporated, which she founded. The foundation’s advocacies are promotion of literacy, peace and development, and women empowerment. – Rappler.com