Santiago: I won’t fail Filipino youth in next 6 years

DAGUPAN CITY–Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Sunday vowed to champion the needs and rights of the youth and to prioritize the rule of law should she win the presidency in the May 9 polls.

In her opening statement during the third and last presidential debate at the University of Pangasinan here, Santiago, who had just returned to the campaign scene after undergoing a clinical trial, said that a government upholding the rule of law and not the rule of men would mark her administration.

ONGOING: Final presidential debate in Pangasinan

“I’ve always loved the young people and I will never fail them in the next years,” said Santiago, who was banking on the so-called youth vote.

Santiago appeared stronger as she walked to the stage after being introduced by the debate hosts, but her weakness was reflected in her noticeable stops while delivering her statement.

Promising to build on the country’s economic gains, the feisty senator said she would also devote significant chunks in the national budget to “construction and reconstruction.”

“We will modernize with irrigation, water impounding facilities, infrastructure, and other technological advances that other countries had already adopted,” Santiago added.

In peace and order, Santiago said she would propose a bigger budget and better training for government security forces.

She also proposed the creation of an “alternative city” near the Clark area in Pampanga “where we can have freedom from congestion.”

Santiago missed the second presidential debate in Cebu last month after undergoing a clinical trial for a new anti-cancer pill.

The feisty senator made only six appearances since the campaign period started on February 9. She returned to the campaign trail on April 12 in her hometown, Iloilo City.

Santiago was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2014. Last year, she said the cancerous tumor in her left lung has regressed due to a new expensive drug she had been taking. JE