- Senator rues absence of his cerebral running mate in second presidential debate
- He says Santiago’s presence would’ve definitely brought the discussions to a higher level
- Santiago also ‘joined’ the debate via social media, gave her position on various issues
MANILA, Philippines – Would her presence have calmed her rivals down— or added even more fireworks?
Ruing Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s noticeable absence during the recently-concluded second presidential debate held in UP Cebu, her running mate Sen. Bongbong Marcos said the feisty solon would have definitely brought the discussions to a higher level if she attended.
“Kung andun sana siya, mas tumaas ang level ng discussion ng ating mga presidentiables,” Rappler quoted him as saying.
[If only she came, the level of discussion would have been higher for our presidentiables.]
“For us, she is the best debater among them. She has the record not only as a debater, but as a judge, as a legislator, as a senator, sa executive, and we feel that she would have done very, very well as she always does,” he added.
Santiago begged off from attending the debate as she had to join an international clinical trial for a new anti-cancer drug.
Despite being absent however, the senator made sure to join the debates via social media— with her staff giving her stand on various issues such as her openness to grant divorce on the grounds of adultery, concubinage, or an attempt on the life of a spouse by the other, the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, and the lowering of taxes.
Supporters of Santiago also attended the event to emphasize she was still in the running.
“All the more she needs us to be here. We need the presence. She needs [us] now more than ever,” said one supporter.
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