Miriam joins Cebu presidential debate — on Twitter

Presidential candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has weighed in on various issues which were raised during the second presidential debate held in Cebu City on Sunday using the tool that she knows best—social media.

Santiago, through her staff, made her views regarding the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, the legalization of divorce, and the West Philippine Sea dispute on Twitter.

READ: Binay, Duterte, Poe, Roxas square off in delay-marred Cebu debate | No-show Santiago’s podium to be taken out of stage on 2nd debate

On the FOI bill, Santiago said she would certify it as urgent if elected president. She said she already introduced amendments on the Senate version of the bill for its improvement.

Santiago would have been the only candidate to push for the legalization of divorce in the country.

The senator said that her support for divorce was hinged on two grounds: attempt on the life of a spouse by the other; and adultery or concubinage.

She was also open to death penalty for drug traffickers—a sentiment she shared with Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Miriam is open to death penalty for drug traffickers. She also maintains that the justice system should be improved,” the tweet from her staff read.

Regarding the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, the senator said that she would “assert PH nat’l territorial integrity, and will join Asean in facing China.”

Santiago earlier announced that she would not be able to join the Cebu debate because she signed up for a clinical trial for a new anticancer drug.

“I am very sorry to miss out on the debates, but it would be a disservice to the country if I forego the opportunity to get rid of my cancer completely and strengthen myself further to serve the Filipino people,” Santiago said in a statement on Thursday, March 17.
Santiago is currently last in voter preference polls. This is her third try for the presidency.