Santanina Rasul, nation’s first and only woman Muslim senator; 94
Santanina “Nina” Rasul, the country’s first and only Muslim woman senator, has died, the Senate announced on Friday. She was 94. Rasul crafted landmark laws that reshaped Filipino society by promoting gender equality and allowing women to join the military service, among others.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of former Sen. Santanina Tillah Rasul, a trailblazer, legislator, educator, and beloved mother and grandmother,” Senate spokesperson Arnel Jose Bañas said in a statement.
“Nina Rasul leaves an indelible mark not only on her family, but also on the countless lives she touched through her decades of public service and unrelenting advocacy. Her memory will forever inspire those who strive for equality, education and peace,” he said.
Bañas referred to Rasul’s life as a testament to her tireless dedication to public service and her commitment to the empowerment of women and marginalized communities, particularly Filipino Muslims.
“Her Senate career was marked by her steadfast commitment to advancing civil service and education reforms, promoting women’s and minority rights and fostering peace in her homeland,” he said.
Impressive academic record
Rasul, who died on Thursday, was born in Siasi, Sulu, on Sept. 14, 1930.
In 1941, she graduated from Laum, Tabawan Elementary School in Tawi-Tawi as valedictorian, and in 1948 from Sulu High School in Jolo as first honor. In 1952, she graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
She later obtained a Master’s Degree in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines and earned doctoral units in public administration at the University of the Philippines, in 1976 and 1978, respectively.
Rasul began her career in public service in 1952, when she became a public school teacher in Siasi and Jolo until 1957; she later acted as a technical assistant to the Office of the President from 1963 to 1964.
She was first elected as barrio councilor at Moore Avenue, Jolo, Sulu, in 1960, where she served for one year; she was reelected in 1962 and served until 1963. In 1971, she was elected member of Sulu’s provincial board, a position she held until 1976.
Advocate for women, minorities
Rasul held several positions in government representing Muslims and cultural minorities throughout her public service career.
In 1966, she founded the Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting not only literacy but peace, development and women empowerment. She was also the organization’s chair.
During the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Rasul was commissioner of the National Commission on the Role of Women, now known as the Philippine Commission on Women.
From 1978 to 1987, she served as a commissioner representing Muslim and other ethnic minorities. She was also member of the board at the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports in 1986.
Rasul served as senator for almost 10 years. She was elected to the Senate in 1987, making her the first Muslim woman senator. She served her first term until 1992 and was reelected that same year, the first Muslim to be reelected to that position. She held the post until 1995.
Lifelong mission
At the Senate, she was chair of the Senate committees on civil service and government recognition, and women and family relations. One of her most well-known legislation is Republic Act No. 7192, which she coauthored with former Sen. Raul Roco. The law enacted in 1992 instituted what is now called gender mainstreaming strategy into national laws and ensured that different government agencies, alongside women and women’s organizations, formulate programs, activities, and projects to address women’s concerns. RA 7192 also paved the way for women’s active participation in military training.
She also sponsored Republic Act No. 6949 declaring March 8 as National Women’s Day.
In 1990, she was appointed Unesco’s honorary ambassador.
In 2019, Rasul was conferred the Tandang Sora award in Quezon City given to outstanding women who embody the virtues of the award’s titular hero.
“Even after her tenure in the Senate, (Rasul) continued her lifelong mission to combat illiteracy through the Magbasa Kita Foundation, a program she spearheaded to uplift communities through literacy,” Bañas said.
He added that Rasul’s legislative achievements had “reshaped Philippine society.”
Rasul’s family requested that donations be made to the Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc. in lieu of flowers. —INQUIRER RESEARCH
