The feisty senator literally stood up to her critics claiming she’s too ill for the presidency and said: “Why are you so nasty?”
This was the message of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on her critics who questioned her capability to run and lead as the President of the country if elected in 2016 due to her stage four lung cancer.
During the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry presidential forum on Tuesday, Santiago stood up from her chair with moderator journalist Coco Alcuaz to prove that she is in good health.
“Do not try to mislead me to go into a political debate about my illness… Can’t you see I can stand straight?” Santiago said, standing up from her chair on the stage.
“Can’t you see that I can stand straight and look at you in the eye? Why are you so nasty? What kind of government will we grow up into if this is your attitude?” she added.
Santiago declared her presidential bid despite her stage four lung cancer which she said is now in control.
READ: Santiago refuses doc’s request to release her medical records
She refused to reveal her medical records however, citing confidentiality and that there is no law requiring government officials to make public their medical records.
Santiago said those criticizing her capability because of her health only meant to derail her bid for the presidency in 2016.
“Bakit dadalhin nila ang usapang pampulitika dito sa sakit ko kundi para siraan ako ng maaga?” Santiago said.
(Why else will they bring politics into my illness other than to destroy my image early?)
“Have you seen any provisions under the Philippine law or constitution that requires any candidate for an office particularly for the President to show his or her medical records? There is no such provision,” Santiago said.
She trained her gun on one critic who claimed she would not live to finish a six-year term. Suddenly turning profound, the senator said life is uncertain anyway and that should she could die anytime should she get hit by a bus.
“May nagbanta na hindi ko na daw matatapos ang anim na toan, mamatay na yan. Ganyan pala ang kampanya niya. Huwag na ako iboto dahil maari akong mamatay ngayon pa lang,” Santiago said.
(There is someone who warned that if elected, I won’t be able to finish my six-year term, that I will die. So that how his campaign goes. That people should not vote for me because I can die as early as today.)
“Eh ngayon lang, pwede na ako mamatay. Lumabas ako, may dumaan na bus, mamamatay rin ako. Ano ang problema ng tao na ito?” Santiago added.
(Even as we speak, I can die. If I go out and got hit by a bus, I will definitely die. What is the problem of these people?)
READ: Miriam Santiago: Give Bongbong Marcos a chance to redeem himself
During the forum, Santiago also defended her choice of Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as running mate despite his being the son of the ousted late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Santiago quoted the Bible and said, “the sins of the father should not be visited upon the son” and that Marcos (Bongbong) should be given the chance to “redeem” himself. RAM