Miriam’s first EO? Probe survey firms

MANILA, Philippines – If elected president, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s first executive order will be to investigate the survey firms whose polls consistently showed that she is a cellar dweller in the presidential race.

“Investigate the commercial survey firms. Eh kung nanalo ako, sasabihin ko bakit ako nanalo (if I win, I will tell them, why did I win?)?” Santiago said during an interview with editors and reporters of The STAR at its editorial office in Manila yesterday.

Santiago pointed out that while all surveys showed that she is a cellar dweller, she consistently topped mock elections in universities and colleges all over the country.

These include De La Salle University Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines Diliman, UP Manila, UP Los Baños, UP Baguio, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo De Manila University, University of Northern Philippines, Malayan Colleges Laguna, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Holy Angel University, University of Asia and the Pacific, Adamson University, Ateneo de Naga University, Philippine Normal University, West Visayas State University, Central Philippine University and Miriam College.

Earlier, Santiago said she suspects a conspiracy among the commercial survey firms and other presidential candidates.

She said surveys consistently showed her lagging behind other candidates to discourage potential contributors from providing financial support to her campaign.

Santiago also earlier bared a P300-million offer made to her husband, Narciso Santiago, for her to withdraw from the race. The money would serve as reimbursement for her campaign expenses.

The enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill is another priority of the Santiago presidency.

“I will have one of my partymates file (an FOI bill) in Congress and then I will certify it as urgent,” she said.