Santiago on presidential bid: ‘I already have a job’

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago rejected on Wednesday any presidential bid in 2016 even after her suggestion that the country should elect a female leader in the next elections.

The senator specifically cited her health condition and lack of resources to run a campaign as the main reasons why she was not considering running for president.

“I’m not looking for a job. I already have  a job,”  Santiago, who has been suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, told  reporters after presiding over  a hearing  of the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) committee on foreign affairs.

“I’m supposed to report at the International Criminal Court. As you can see, I can’t even finish my present functions as a member of the CA. Someone else (has to report the results of the hearing) … because I’m so tired,” she added.

Besides, Santiago said she doesn’t have a conservative estimate of P1 billion to P2 billion or a maximum of P20 billion needed to run a campaign for the highest position in the land.

“I was not a member of the pork barrel scam so I don’t have this amount. I never sold my body to have this amount,”” she said in jest.

“My main problem is I don’t have the money period. What I have is rapport and I hope the support of the netizens,” the senator said.

Asked if the support of the netizens was not enough reason for her to reconsider  her decision, Santiago said: “I wonder whether the people are not bored with me because I’m bored with myself so I have to resolve that first.”

Santiago said among the possible  female  presidential contenders in 2016 are   Senators Cynthia  Villar “because she has money; Grace Poe  because  she was number 1 in the  last senatorial race; Loren Legarda; and Pia Cayetano.

But Cayetano’s chance, she said, may have been pre-empted by her brother, Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano, who declared that he would run for president.

An INQUIRER.net poll on the netizens’ choice for woman president shows Santiago way ahead of the other names on the list. As of posting time, 67.27 percent or 2,310 out of the 3,434 want Santiago in 2016. Second is Senator Grace Poe with a distant 15.23 percent or 523 votes.

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