Miriam Defensor Santiago 2016 presidential campaign

The 2016 presidential campaign of Miriam Defensor Santiago, a then-incumbent Senator of the Philippines, was announced on October 13, 2015, at a book signing event.[1] Miriam Defensor-Santiago submitted her certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 16, 2015. She was fifth overall in the election and lost to Rodrigo Duterte. Santiago died of lung cancer five months later.

Miriam Defensor Santiago 2016 presidential campaign
CandidateMiriam Defensor Santiago
Secretary of Agrarian Reform
(1989–90)
Judge of the International Criminal Court
(2011–14)
Senator of the Philippines
(1995–2001; 2004–16)
Bongbong Marcos
Senator of the Philippines (2010–16)
Governor of Ilocos Norte
(1983–86; 1998–2007)
Ilocos Norte's 2nd district representative
(1992–95; 2007–10)
Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte
(1980–83)
AffiliationPeople's Reform Party
Youth Reform Movement
StatusAnnounced: October 13, 2015
Official launch: October 13, 2015
Lost election: May 9, 2016
HeadquartersNarsan Building, 3 West 4th St., West Triangle, Quezon City
SloganSi Miriam Ang Sagot! (lit. "Miriam is the answer!")

Background

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Miriam Defensor Santiago

Miriam Defensor Santiago previously ran for president in the elections of 1992 and 1998.[2]

It was reported in March 2014 that Santiago was not interested in vying for a higher post, saying that she would rather support a female candidate for presidency. She said that she had no funds for a presidential campaign, but argued that social media would be a significant factor in the 2016 election.[3]

On July 2, 2014, Santiago announced that she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. However, she said that her cancer is not metastasic and is expected to be cured within six weeks through molecularly targeted therapy.[4]

In August 2014, Santiago declared that she was open to run as president, saying that she was recovering and considering two other career options: entering the International Development Law Organization based in Rome, or authoring books about foreign policy at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.[5]

In November 2014, Santiago announced that she will run for president if she is completely healed of cancer, saying that, at that time, 90 percent of her cancer cells had regressed. She also said that she was considering entering a coalition with the Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party if she decided to run.[6]

On October 26, 2015, a meet-and-greet event in front of UP students was held in UP Bahay ng Alumni (the same place where her co-presidential candidate Grace Poe announced her intention to run for president). Santiago reiterated that she would run for the highest political position in the Philippines for the third time to stop the corruption in the government despite having stage 4 lung cancer:[7]

I have passed through the hardest of physical trepidations and hardships known to man. Cancer is not an easy disease to have. I decided upon consultation with my doctors at Saint Luke's Medical Center that it should be up to me to run for president.

— Miriam Defensor Santiago

Running mate

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Defensor Santiago with her running mate, Bongbong Marcos

In July 2014, Bongbong Marcos said that he was not discounting the possibility of his running for president and, at that time, he said that his Nacionalista Party had only discussed about their agenda in the 2016 election.[8]

It was reported in September 2014, that Santiago considered Rodrigo Duterte, Grace Poe and Gilberto Teodoro as her running mates.[9]

On October 15, 2015, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago confirmed Senator Bongbong Marcos as her running mate.[10] Santiago and Marcos are two of the three senators who acquitted Renato Corona in his impeachment trial in 2012 (the other senator was the late Joker Arroyo).

Marcos revealed on January 21, 2016, that his campaign with Santiago would be officially launched in the Ilocos region, his home region. He also said that he and Santiago would campaign separately if possible to maximize their reach.[11]

Santiago and Marcos started their campaigns with a proclamation rally held in Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte on February 9, 2016.[12]

Marcos, on the other hand, inaugurated his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong on February 18, 2016.[13]

Political positions

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Corruption

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In relation to the Priority Development Assistance Fund scandal, Santiago promised to put those who have pocketed their Priority Development Assistance Fund, commonly known as pork barrel to be arrested.[14]

Governance

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According to Defensor Santiago's running mate Bongbong Marcos, he and the candidate agreed on the importance of good governance.[15][16][17]

She has also promised to sign the Freedom of Information Act as the act is an "important tool to promote public accountability."[18]

Social and economy issues

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Defensor Santiago also plans to "aggressively fight the war against illegal drugs". She has promised to reform the tax system and increase government efficiency, with the goal of keeping the government deficit below 3% of the GDP. Defensor Santiago also plans to invest in public infrastructure, agriculture sector, and government institutions.[19]

RH Law

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An advocate of the Reproductive Health Law (RHL), Defensor Santiago was not pleased by the 1 billion peso budget allocation cuts for contraceptives. She said that, if she will be elected, she will work for a full and conscientious implementation of the RHL.[20]

Endorsements

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Miriam Defensor Santiago
Current and former Philippine Senators
Current and former Philippine Representative
Current and former Philippine Governor
City Councilor
  • Ramon Yabut, Member, Sangguniang Panlungsod (Pasay)
Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Personalities
Athletes
Bongbong Marcos

All individuals are members or supporters of the KBL, unless otherwise stated.

Former Philippine Presidents
Current and former Philippine Senators
Current and former Philippine Representatives
Current and former Provincial Governors and Vice Governors
Current and former Philippine Mayors and Vice Mayors
City Councilor
  • Ramon Yabut, Member, Sangguniang Panlungsod (Pasay)
Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Celebrities
Organizations and Support Groups
  • Alliance of Transport Organizations (ACTO)[34]
  • El Shaddai[35]
  • Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP)[34]
  • Iglesia ni Cristo[36][37]
  • Iglesia Filipina Independente[38]
  • Kabataang Barangay Alumni Association Inc., Manila Chapter
  • Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP)[34]
  • National Federation of Sugarcane Planters[39]
  • Panay Federation of Sugarcane Planters[39]
  • Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide, Inc. (PASANG MASDA)[34]
  • Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (Aldub - Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong)[40]
  • Sugar Producers Association (CONFED) Negros-Panay Chapter[39]
  • United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines[39]

Senate slate

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The 10-man senatorial slate of Santiago and Marcos was announced during a campaign event at the Ynares Sports Arena on February 14, 2016.[41]

Santiago-Marcos senatorial slate
Name Image Political party/coalition Notes
Dionisio Santiago   Independent Former PDEA director-general
Francis Tolentino   Independent Former MMDA chairman
Common candidates
Name Image Political party/coalition Notes
Edu Manzano   Lakas–CMD/Partido Galing at Puso Makati vice mayor
Isko Moreno   Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino/Partido Galing at Puso Manila vice mayor
Susan Ople

 

Nacionalista Party/Partido Galing at Puso OFW advocate
Jericho Petilla   Liberal Party/Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid Former Secretary of Energy
Ralph Recto   Liberal Party/Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid* President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
Martin Romualdez Lakas–CMD/United Nationalist Alliance Leyte representative
Manny Pacquiao   United Nationalist Alliance Sarangani representative
Joel Villanueva   Liberal Party/Bangon Pilipinas/Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid Former TESDA director-general

(*) also running under Partido Galing at Puso.

Aftermath

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Five months after the elections, Santiago died in her sleep at exactly 8:52 a.m. on 29 September 2016 while she was confined at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig from lung cancer; several reports cited that Santiago died in her residence in La Vista Subdivision, Quezon City.[42][43][44] Her body lay in state at the Cathedral Grottos of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao the following day.[45] Following a Catholic funeral Mass, she was interred at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina on 2 October, beside the tomb of her son Alexander, who died in 2003.[46][47][48]

References

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  1. ^ Bartolome, Jessica; Sisante, Jam (October 13, 2015). "Miriam announces presidential run in 2016". GMA News and Public Affairs. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  2. ^ Matsuzawa, Mikas (January 20, 2016). "Will Miriam Defensor-Santiago get the youth vote?". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  3. ^ Macaraig, Ayee (March 12, 2014). "Miriam for president? No money – I never sold my body!". Rappler. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  4. ^ Macaraig, Ayee (July 3, 2014). "Miriam Santiago: I have lung cancer". Rappler. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  5. ^ Mendez, Christina (August 28, 2014). "Miriam licks cancer, eyes running in 2016". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  6. ^ Burgonio, TJ (November 15, 2014). "If healed, Santiago to run in 2016". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Macaraig, Ayee (October 26, 2015). "Miriam: Fighting corruption made me run despite health". Rappler. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  8. ^ Ramos-Araneta, Macon (July 27, 2014). "Bongbong, Miriam seen as other presidential bets". Manila Standard. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  9. ^ Burgonio, TJ (September 11, 2014). "Santiago as presidential candidate ticks off possible running mates". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  10. ^ Macaraig, Ayee (October 15, 2015). "Miriam Santiago: Bongbong Marcos is my running mate". Rappler. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  11. ^ Mangosing, Frances (January 21, 2016). "Santiago-Marcos tandem still a go". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  12. ^ "Duterte's proclamation rally in Tondo set". Sun.Star. February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  13. ^ a b c d Manlapaz, Jong (February 18, 2016). "Gloria boys suportado si Bongbong Marcos (Gloria boys supports Bongbong Marcos)". DZIQ. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  14. ^ Echeminada, Perseus (February 10, 2016). "Miriam hits rivals for premature campaigning". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  15. ^ "Bongbong Marcos confirms tandem with Miriam Defensor-Santiago". CNN. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  16. ^ "Bongbong Marcos: Tandem with Miriam 'not a surprise' to me". Rappler. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  17. ^ "Miriam Santiago will run for president in 2016". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  18. ^ "Miriam promises 'faster than ever' economic growth if elected president". GMA News Online. October 27, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  19. ^ "Local News". Sun.Star. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  20. ^ Geronimo, Jee Y. (January 8, 2016). "Miriam Santiago on RH budget cut: Immoral'". Rappler. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Duterte top presidential pick, two-way race between Robredo, Marcos for VP among young athletes". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "Erap Estrada endorses Bongbong Marcos' VP bid". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 10, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  23. ^ "Cojuangco campaigns for Marcos' vice presidential bid". CNN Philippines. February 21, 2016. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  24. ^ "Bongbong Marcos foes told: Move on from the past". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 27, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  25. ^ a b "Tumaya na: Villars choose Marcos as VP over Cayetano, Trillanes". Politiko. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  26. ^ a b "Gomezes of Ormoc support Marcos' VP bid". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  27. ^ Beleo, Erwin G. (November 13, 2015). "Chavit to campaign for 'Binay-Bong' in Solid North". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  28. ^ "Rizal province's Ynares family endorses Bongbong Marcos". GMA News. February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  29. ^ "Marcos wins support of La Union's Ortegas". The Manila Times. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  30. ^ "Marcos gets backing of San Juan mayor". ABS-CBN News. February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  31. ^ Yee, Jovic (February 20, 2016). "Benhur for Bongbong: Son of Cory appointee champions Marcos Jr". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  32. ^ "Nora Aunor picks Grace Poe for president and Bongbong Marcos for VP". Philippine Entertainment Portal. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  33. ^ a b c "Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano criticized for supporting Sen. Bongbong Marcos's VP bid". Pep.ph. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  34. ^ a b c d Casayuran, Mario (February 25, 2016). "'Big 4' transport groups endorse Marcos". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  35. ^ Pilapil, Jaime R. (April 30, 2016). "El Shaddai endorses Marcos". Manila Times. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  36. ^ Rosario, Ben (April 28, 2016). "INC chooses Bongbong for VP -sources". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  37. ^ "Iglesia to vote for Duterte-Marcos on May 9". Eagle News. May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  38. ^ "Iglesia Filipina Independiente Is For Marcos" (Press release). Senate of the Philippines. December 29, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  39. ^ a b c d "Sugar barons sweeten Sen. Marcos' VP bid" (Press release). Senate of the Philippines. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  40. ^ "Party-list backs bid to pair Rody, Marcos". Manila Standard. March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  41. ^ Gagalac, Ron (February 13, 2016). "Miriam-Marcos tandem bares senatorial slate". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  42. ^ Ager, Juliet Javellana, Maila. "Miriam Defensor-Santiago passes away at 71".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "Miriam Defensor Santiago passes away". ABS-CBN.
  44. ^ "Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a "shining light" in PH politics – Malacañang". Manila Bulletin. September 29, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  45. ^ "Miriam's wake a sea of red as supporters pay last respects". GMA Network. September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  46. ^ "Miriam Defensor Santiago to be buried on October 2 in Marikina". Rappler. September 29, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  47. ^ Pasion, Patty (October 2, 2016). "Miriam Defensor Santiago laid to rest". Rappler. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  48. ^ San Jose, Clarissa E. (September 29, 2016). "Granting her wish, Santiago will be buried beside her son". Kicker Daily News. Retrieved October 1, 2016.