President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (December 3) said the entire Filipino nation mourns the passing of former Senator Santanina T Rasul, the first Muslim woman to become a member of the Philippine Senate.

The chief executive expressed his sympathies to the Rasul family as he recalled the great contributions she gave the country as a senator.

House Majority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman and Reps. Mujiv Hataman and Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Zia Alonto also released statements paying tribute to the late former senator who died on November 28 at the age of 94.

“It is with profound sadness that I extend my condolences on the passing of Senator Santanina ‘Nina’ T. Rasul,” said Marcos in a statement released Tuesday.“As the first and only Muslim woman senator to serve the Philippines, Senator Rasul broke barriers through her legislative endeavors and became a trailblazer for equality and empowerment.”

The chief executive stated: “She leaves behind a powerful reminder of the change one person can bring through courage, compassion, and conviction. She championed the rights of marginalized communities, opened doors for women in the military, and inspired countless Filipinos, especially those from underrepresented sectors, to believe in their potential.”

Hataman cited Rasul’s tireless efforts in pursuing the passage of legislative measure upholding the rights of Muslims and the Filipino women.

“Si Sen. Rasul ay naging isang tapat na lingkod-bayan. Isinulong niya ang mga batas na nagtaguyod sa karapatan ng mga Muslim at mga kababaihan na nagbigay-daan sa kanilang mas aktibong partisipasyon sa iba’t ibang larangan,” said Hataman in a statement released by his office.

For his part, Alonto noted that Rasul had been “tireless” in advocating for education, women’s rights and marginalized communities, saying that her accomplishments as a public servant “will forever be remembered as a source of pride and inspiration for our people.”

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the country’s first Muslim budget secretary, also mourned the passing of Rasul, saying she was “deeply inspired” by the late senator’s unwavering commitment to uplifting our region and advocating the ideals she passionately upheld.

“Throughout her career, she broke barriers as the first Muslim woman senator in the country, championing education, women's rights, and the welfare of minorities. She dedicated her entire life to faithfully representing our people and amplifying their voices,” said Pangandaman.

Born in Siasi, Sulu, Rasul first served in government as a public school teacher in Siasi and Jolo in the 1950s, as a village councilor in Jolo in the early 1960s, and as a Sulu Provincial Board member from 1971 to 1976.

She was a member of the government peace panel that successfully negotiated peace talks with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under the administration of the late president Fidel V. Ramos.

Rasul also became a commissioner representing Muslim and other ethnic minorities from 1978 to 1987 and subsequently became a board member at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports in 1986.

Rasul served as senator from 1987 to 1992 and from 1992 to 1995 and authored eight laws as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Recognition and the Committee on Women and Family Relations.