A MORE aggressive presidential candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago showed up at the campaign trail on Sunday, her second public appearance since the kick off last Tuesday.
The feisty senator thrilled an audience of mostly college students with pickup lines as an opener for her 15-minute speech at the Youth for Miriam launch held at the Ynares Stadium in Pasig City.
Santiago, who claims to have controlled her stage 4 lung cancer, reiterated before the youth her cause to put corrupt officials to jail.
It was only her second time to appear in public with her running mate Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. since their campaign kick-off in Ilocos Norte. Sunday’s event was organized by the Youth For Miriam, a group of volunteers in support of Santiago.
She reminded the hundreds of youth in the audience of their potential to change the country’s future.
“Show them the strength of the truth. In your hands lies the destiny of the Filipinos so we can change the system. If you want to change the world, we must change ourselves,” the 70-year-old senator said.
Santiago, who is banking on her support from her strong social media following and millennials, promised to appoint younger people to her Cabinet if she becomes president.
“If i become president half of the cabinet will come from the youth. Ang ating gobyerno pinapatakbo ng mga gurang,” she said.
‘Miriam magic’
Marcos, the running mate of Santiago, said the ‘Miriam magic’ in 1992, which reinforced her presidential candidacy 24 years ago, is still very much alive.
“Buhay na buhay ang Miriam magic na nakita natin noong 1992. Siya naman talaga ang nanalo noong halalan na iyon,” he said.
He said he looked forward to working with Santiago as president and to be on her side “on the fight against corruption.”
The tandem also introduced their senatorial line up at the event, mostly guest candidates from the opposition and administration tickets.
The senatorial candidates endorsed by Santiago and Marcos who attended were former Armed Forces chief Gen. Dionisio Santiago, who expressed anti-drugs, defense and development as his causes; Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, who advocated free education; Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno who supported free education and internet; and Overseas Filipino Workers advocate Susan Ople, who wanted overseas workers to have their own hospitals and free internet for all.
Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, who expressed support for health insurance and community colleges, was represented by his sister Analyn and former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, who wanted lower electricity rates, was represented by his son Carlos.
Other senatorial candidates who were endorsed but did not make it to the event were: Sen. Ralph Recto, actor Edu Manzano, actress Alma Moreno, Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao and former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Joel Villanueva.
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