Miriam hoping online popularity to boost presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is banking on social media and her popularity among the youth to carry her campaign for president.

“Campaigns and elections have changed in the Philippines… there is more social media. The Internet has radically revolutionized the way young people think and how they affect their own families, parents, siblings and those who live with them,” Santiago, who recently recovered from stage four lung cancer, said during a press conference at the Commission on Elections on Friday when asked if she could cope with the rigors of the campaign.

 She said young voters nowadays decide on their choice of candidates and even influence their parents and elders who to vote for.

She said this was evident during the 1992 presidential elections, which she lost by a margin of less than 900,000 votes to Fidel Ramos.

“In 1992, there was a sea change. A huge, monumental change happened. The young students went home to their provinces and instead of following the dictates of their families, of their fathers and mothers…the situation turned around… it was the young people who taught the old people: Vote for Miriam because she’s the voice of the new,” Santiago said.

“I hope this voice will continue to be resurrected and, in fact, will prevail in these elections. This is what’s going to happen. That is my prediction. The Internet will be more powerful than we think,” she added.

Santiago is the most “liked” and “followed” on Facebook and Twitter among presidential aspirants. She has more than three million likes on her Facebook account and over two million followers on Twitter.

Santiago, who is now 70, also suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, which has kept her from attending the plenary sessions of the Senate and forced her to give up her post as a judge in the International Criminal Court.

Stressful

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III has raised concern over Santiago’s health, saying her cancer could recur because of the pressures of the campaign. 

He said cancer usually recurs after five years, especially if a person is exposed to stress.

 “A presidential campaign is very stressful. If you already have an instance of cancer, the chance of recurrence is higher if you’re under stress,” Osmeña said over radio dwIZ.

Santiago said Osmeña has the right to doubt her ability to stage another bid for the presidency, but expressed confidence she is healthy enough.

“That is his doubt. That is one of his human rights. To doubt me or to love me, that is the right of the person. I cannot force him to do either one of these,” she said.

Santiago has announced that Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is her running mate, but the latter has yet to issue a confirmation.

She is scheduled for a meet and greet at the University of the Philippines’ Bahay ng Alumni tomorrow. Marcos is also expected to attend the event.