MANILA – For Narcisco “Jun” Santiago, the husband of former senator Miriam Defensor, praises for his beloved wife have come too late.

Speaking for the first time since Miriam's death, a teary-eyed Santiago said people have only started to send kind words and express their love for the senator now that she is gone.

“Nalulungkot ako dahil sa pagpanaw ni Miriam. Iyung pagmamahal, pangalawa, ang pagmamahal at pagpuri sa kanya sana naigawad nung buhay pa siya [I am deeply saddened by her passing, (losing) love. It's also sad that these praises were not accorded to her when she was still alive],” Santiago told reporters at the wake of the late senator.

Narciso Santiago: Ang pagpuri sa kanya (Miriam Defensor-Santiago) sana nagawa noong nabubuhay pa siya pic.twitter.com/zYEBpP2dmP |@ZandroDZMM

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) September 30, 2016

Narciso added, his wife deserved more admiration because she dedicated her life to public service.

“Dahil ang buhay niya, kamukha ni Presidente Duterte, binuhos nila sa pagsisilbi sa bayan at sa mga tao. Pero nung buhay pa siya hindi nabigyan ng ganoong kuwan [She dedicated her life to public service, like President Duterte. But this was not emphasized when she was alive],” he said.

Santiago passed away on Thursday after a long battle with lung cancer.

The Santiagos met in law school. A studious Miriam who had no plans of getting married eventually found herself saying yes to the happy-go-lucky Jun. They tied the knot on June 14, 1970, where Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Jun's hometown friend, stood as sponsor.

• READ: Narciso 'Jun' Santiago, Miriam's shock absorber

Throughout Miriam's judiciary and academic achievements, giving birth to another child, Santiago patiently stood behind her.
Forty years after jumping into marriage, Miriam said in 2011, when they renewed their vows, "I'm very lucky to be married to the handsomest man in the world."

• READ: Miriam on love, marriage and divorce

-- With reports from Zandro Ochona, dzMM