Santiago confirms she is running for president in 2016 polls

Miriam Defensor-Santiago announced on Tuesday (October 13) that she will be joining the presidential race in 2016.

Santiago almost won the presidency over then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos in 1992, losing by less than a million votes.

“Yeah, as far as I am concerned”, Santiago replied when asked by the media if she will definitely run for president.

The senator had previously been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in June 2014 but stated her intention to run for president if her condition improved.

The senator said she will file her Certificate of Candidacy at the Comelec main office on Friday.

When asked if she already has a running mate in mind, Santiago said her vice president “has already announced” his candidacy for vice president.

What can you say about this exciting turn of event in Philippine politics?

She ran for the same position in 1998 but only placed seventh among 11 candidates. “Our country suffers from the malaise of plunder”. She added that the campaign color of the vice president is red.

“I think because I have served the government from the very beginning, I’ll end my career here”. In a press statement in July 2015, she declared that her lung cancer had been “licked”.

Citing Santiago’s track record in government service, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the feisty senator’s decision to seek the highest post in the land will give the voting public more options on whom to elect as the country’s next top leader. Grace Poe, and Vice President Jejomar Binay in next year’s presidential polls.

Will she buck tradition and make an important announcement at the meet-and-greet?