Manila: Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday honored the late former senator Santanina Rasul, who was known as "outstanding public servant and champion of women's rights." According to Philippines News Agency, Rasul, who passed away on November 28 at the age of 94, served as a senator from 1987 to 1992 and again from 1992 to 1995. She made history as the first Muslim-Filipino woman in the Philippine Senate, where she championed numerous causes, including women's rights, Muslim affairs, family, and gender equality. During her eight-year tenure, she co-authored significant laws that sought to promote and protect these areas. One of the highlights of Rasul's legislative career was her involvement in the enactment of Republic Act 7192, also known as the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act. This landmark legislation established policies to ensure the fundamental equality of Filipino women before the law and promoted equal r ights and opportunities for them, comparable to those of men. Rasul's passion for education and empowerment extended beyond the Senate. She was the Founding Chair of the Magbassa Kita Foundation (MKFI), an organization committed to literacy, peace, development, and women empowerment. As a peace advocate, she played a pivotal role as one of the conveners of the Friends of Peace Council. Through the MKFI, Rasul led initiatives to improve literacy in her hometown of Sulu and throughout Muslim Mindanao with the Literacy for Peace and Development Program. The foundation also organized regional training workshops aimed at equipping Muslim women from conflict-affected communities with skills in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. Galvez highlighted her unwavering dedication to public service, which enabled her to become a catalyst for positive change, significantly impacting the lives of countless Muslim women and communities nationwide. He emphasized that her legacy will remain unforgettable, esp ecially among those whose lives she transformed, and extended thoughts and prayers to her loved ones during this time of mourning.