Santiago cites qualities of the next president

Presidential candidate Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said the next president should have moral excellency apart from being excellent academically and professionally.

In her final statement at the Presidential Debate held in Cagayan de Oro City Sunday, the lady senator said she believes it is important that the next president has a clean and untainted record.

“The most important is that he should have moral excellency, dapat ang ibinoboto natin ay walang bahid sa kanyang record o kung may inimbento mang masyadong hindi kapani-paniwala,” she said.

“Una, there should be an academic excellence. Dapat naging head of the class or at least naging honor student, dahil kung hindi naman marunong eh ano ngayon ang ibibigay niyang dunong sa atin. Pangalawa, may professional excellence. Kung naging professional, ‘yung dapat binigyan siya ng mga award ng mga kapwa professional nya dahil sa hanga sila sa kanya,” added the standard bearer of the People’s Reform Party (PRP).

She reminded the public that the debate was held for the voters to know and scrutinize the candidates.

“We are here looking for a real leader of the Philippines, who will implement all the viable suggestions that were made here this evening. But this is not a personality contest. This is not a show for entertainment. This is a show to educate the Filipino voter on what his own responsibilities are in addition to those that are being assumed by presidential candidates,” Santiago noted.

She also wished the voters and her fellow presidential aspirants good luck. “Good luck to you and good luck to all of us. I hope this country will deserve to be what God meant it to be, a happy and prosperous nation,” the senator added.

The next presidential debate will be held either at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City or the University of the Philippines-Visayas in Iloilo City on March 20. The third and final round of the debate will be held at the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City on April 24. (PNA)