Despite obvious signs of fatigue and worrying pauses in between sentences, presidentiable Miriam Defensor-Santiago still managed to display her signature wit and barbs during yesterday’s presidential debate in Dagupan.
“Napakadaling sabihin na i-giyera natin ang Tsina. Eh kung matalo ang Tsina at nag-surrender silang lahat, ano ang ipapakain natin sa kanila (It’s easy to say we should go to war against China. If we beat them and they all surrender, what would we feed them)?”
This was the joke that Senator Defensor-Santiago uttered during the third and final leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 on Sun, Apr 24, at the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City.
The statement referred to her stance on the country’s territorial tiff against China. It showed that Santiago still had a lot of fight left in her despite persistent pleas for her to just give up her presidential bid.
“Santiago, who missed the second Commission on Elections (Comelec)-sanctioned presidential debate last March 20 to undergo a clinical trial for a new anti-cancer pill, appeared stronger in the debate held at the PHINMA University of Pangasinan and organized by ABS-CBN, Manila Bulletin, and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP),” reports ABS-CBN News.
However, as the report noted, that it was noticeable that Santiago “had to pause from time to time as she answered questions and presented her platforms during the debate, which had a town hall format.”
Santiago, who is known for being feisty and fearless, also stuttered at times, and her voice trembled. She likewise had to sit when it was not her time to speak.
But Santiago made it clear that she will finish the presidential race on her own terms. At this point, not even the threat of cancer can stop her.
She was quoted as saying, “For those who think that I should withdraw because I have once been a cancer patient, this is what I say: I am now normal. I can think and I can act and I can pray.” She added, “I will never quit! I will never stop! I will never withdraw!”
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