Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday remembered his former colleague and running mate, the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago, as a “beacon of wisdom, intelligence, and humor.”

Marcos said Santiago, who passed away on Thursday after a battling lung cancer, has left the world “less wise, less bright, and sadder.”

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READ: Miriam’s last words: ‘I accept this. I don’t want to do anything heroic’

“Words cannot begin to express the deep sadness that not only I and my family but the entire country feels at the devastatingly sad news of Sen Miriam’s passing,” Marcos said in a statement.

“Our beacon of wisdom, intelligence and ever-present humor and good sense has flickered out. She leaves the world less wise, less bright and sadder. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad, sad time. We take solace knowing that now there will be fewer tears in heaven,” he said.

READ: Miriam a ‘shining light’ in PH politics–Palace

Santiago and Marcos ran as tandem in the May national elections, but lost to President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo, respectively.

Santiago, 71, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2014. CDG

READ: Miriam Defensor-Santiago passes away at 71

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