Valenzuela City (CNN Philippines) — “I will never stop, I will not quit, I will never surrender!”
This was what presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago told students during her campaign in Valenzuela City on Friday (March 4).
In her speech at the Our Lady of Fatima University, Santiago mentioned that a true leader must be academically, morally, and professionally excellent.
“What are the characteristics of a true leader of the people? Number one, academic excellence,” she said. “Dapat ‘yung pinakamarunong sa klase, hindi ‘yung pinakagago.”
[Translation: “The smartest one in class, not the biggest jerk.”]
Her speech and signature pick-up lines were received well by the audience.
However, Santiago finished last in the recent Pulse Asia presidential survey, also released on Friday. It was topped by Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay.
Also read: Poe, Binay statistically tied for first in new Pulse Asia survey
She also lagged behind the Social Weather Stations survey conducted last February.
Re-electionist Sen. Sergio Osmeña III doesn’t think Santiago stands a chance.
“Miriam is only at 4 percent,” he said. “That’s why she’s only at 4 percent, people don’t want to vote for a president who is sick.”
Pol Catchuela, a university faculty member and a long-time supporter of Santiago, agreed the senator is not in tip-top shape because of her age and her recent battle with stage four lung cancer. As Santiago’s youth volunteer in 1992, the first time the senator ran for president, Catchuela continues to campaign for her.
“She was younger in 1992, siyempre. Seventy years old na siya tapos nagkasakit siya, so what do we expect?” he said.
“Mas palaban siya nung 1992, pero ‘yung isip niya, mas matalino siya ngayon.”
[Translation: “She’s 70 years old and she got sick, so what do we expect? She was more driven in 1992, but she is smarter now.”]
Also read: Santiago refuses to make medical records public
Her supporters believe that there’s still hope for a Santiago presidency. They said her high ratings in campus surveys and social media will boost her chances.
“Marami pang panahon para malaman ng tao kung sino ang karapat-dapat iboto,” said Charles Cabistrani, a member of Youth for Miriam. “Naniniwala kami na tataas ‘yung survey ni Sen. Miriam.”
[Translation: “There’s still plenty of time for people to know who deserves their votes. We believe Sen. Miriam will climb in the surveys.”]
Next week, Santiago will visit universities in Tacloban and Davao. It is yet to be confirmed if her running mate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will join her in the sorties.
Related: What leaders do young people want?
