Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago gamely matched “hashtags” to persons and places associated with her presidential run at the end of the Meet Inquirer Multimedia forum in Makati City on Tuesday.
“#Overambitious” was Santiago’s response when the name of Sen. Grace Poe was mentioned.
Poe, a neophyte senator, is also running for the highest elective post in the country.
As for Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also eyeing the presidency, Santiago said “#walangforever” suited him.
Binay was Makati mayor for more than two decades before serving as vice president in 2010. He is facing allegations of massive corruption during his term as mayor.
Santiago chose “#aminin” when Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s name was mentioned.
Duterte, who served as Davao City mayor for 22 years, is facing allegations of undeclared millions in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
With President Benigno Aquino III ending his term in June, Santiago assigned him the hashtag “#sakitsaheadache.”
To her former rival Fidel V. Ramos, the senator said “#wagkangmayabang.”
Santiago and Ramos faced off during the 1992 elections, where the latter won. Santiago had accused Ramos of fraud and filed an electoral protest.
On a lighter note, the senator said “#lifeisbeautiful” when the University of the Philippines was mentioned.
In 1965, Santiago graduated magna cum laude from UP Visayas with a political science degree. She later finished her Bachelor of Laws at UP College of Law as cum laude.
As a feisty senator and public official, Santiago admitted that she had received numerous death threats.
Asked about this, she said “#pushpamore.” RC/rga
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