Why Senator Miriam Santiago Be Elected As The Sixteenth President Of the Philippines.

With the upcoming national elections this summer of 2016, politicians are in full force in wooing voters with common rhetoric we hear during elections such as alleviating poverty, providing jobs, and even promising the moon and stars with unrealistic promises such as eradication of crime within a limited time frame or even income tax exemptions for middle class earners. There are also certain political parties that are attempting to distinguish themselves by advocating particular cause such as “Straight Path” or “Government With A Heart” to garner the votes of the ordinary citizen.

But even with the sweet promises of these politicians, voters should be wary, realistic and rational in choosing a candidate. Voters should choose someone with integrity, and someone who follows the rule of law. Among the candidates for the highest office of the executive branch of our country, none of them meets that said quality except Senator Miriam Santiago.

Senator Miriam throughout the years in government service has proven the she has the integrity necessary for the position of president. Though she served all the branches of our government: a RTC judge, an Agrarian secretary under the administration of Cory , and a legislator for almost two decades, her time in every office she held wasn’t tainted or marred by scandal. In fact she was named as laureate of the Magsaysay Award for government service – “for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency."

In addition, during her tenure of being RTC judge, Sen. Miriam disposed of the highest number of cases in Metro Manila. Her reputation for integrity, competence, and efficiency became established, and she was showered with awards for judicial excellence from civic groups, notably as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Professionals of the Philippine Jaycees, and the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service of the Philippine Lions.

Moreover Sen. Miriam has filed the most bills in the Senate despite of her ailments and being absent due to her illness. A total of 1,314 bills and resolutions she filed the most bills and resolutions, including Anti-Political and Anti-Epal bills. Unlike other top absentees in the Congress, Miriam proved that an ailment is not an impediment in doing her duties and responsibilities.

They say, there are no permanent friends and enemies in Philippine politics. Unlike traditional politicians, Sen. Miriam’s loyalty is the Philippine Constitution. She demonstrated these throughout the years.
During the impeachment trial of Pres. Estrada , she stated that the due process must be upheld and voted against the opening of the envelope. Though people mocked and branded her as lunatic, she stand with her decision.

Similarly, during the impeachment case of Chief Justice Renato Corona, Sen. Miriam acting as senator-judges regularly denounced the prosecutors for their failures in gathering evidence.
She was one of the three senators who didn’t took bribes in the form of disbursement acceleration program fund and priority development assistance fund in exchange for the conviction of the magistrate. She denounced the impeachment trial as “hypocritical accusation and a problem in this country where all for honest government and yet the world condemn us as one of the most corrupt country in the world.”

She acquitted the Chief Justice and concluded the verdict as “kung ang politika ay mangingibabaw sa batas wala na rin akong silbi.” (If politics prevails over the rule of law, I am no use for)

Suffrage is not an ordinary right. It is a sacred right protected and vested by our Constitution. However , it is our duty and responsibility to scrutinize the candidates who are running for office. We must choose someone who has pristine track record in office. We must choose someone who upholds the rule of law.
Senator Miriam has proven that during her years of government service. We must not underestimate the significance of the upcoming election. The next administration will decide the fate of country, the fate of our future and the fate of the next generation.