Santiago-Marcos tandem completes senatorial line-up

BATAC, Ilocos Norte - As the campaign period for national posts formally opened on Tuesday, vice presidential aspirant Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago have a complete senatorial line-up.

In an interview at the sidelines of his campaign trail here, Marcos said he and Santiago were supposed to announce the names of the 10 senatorial candidates under their team today but the tight schedule prevented them from doing so.

“Actually, nakumpleto na yung aming senatorial line-up. Dapat nga today, ia-announce namin. Pero dahil napaganda ang usapan, lalo na ni Sen. Miriam dito sa MMSU (Mariano Marcos State University), at tuwang tuwa ang mga estudyante ay hindi na namin naituloy yung aming plinaplanong announcement,” Marcos said.

Except for his cousin Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Marcos refused to reveal the names of the other senatorial candidates in their line-up.

“We will be announcing those in the top ten of our senatorial slate soon. Ang ating magiging senador Martin Romualdez, ay isa na doon. In fact, he is one of the firsts [we have chosen],” Marcos said

“I leave to my President, Senator Miriam, to make that formal announcement as the standard-bearer,” Marcos added.

Marcos and Santiago are not running under the same party but had earlier agreed to campaign together.

Santiago is running the People's Reform Party, the same party she founded and ran under when she sought the presidency in 1992 and 1998. Marcos, meanwhile, is running as an independent.

Marcos and Santiago were supposed to hold a press conference after delivering a speech and answering a few questions from the students of MMSU, but the latter had to leave for Manila.

Santiago’s staff members did not specify the reason.

Prior to the event at MMSU, where Santiago delivered a few pick-up lines to the delight of the students, she and Marcos kicked off their campaign through a proclamation rally in Batac City Plaza.

During her speech in the proclamation rally, Santiago said Marcos, as a young and idealistic leader, can take over the government “if something happens” to her.

Marcos dismissed Santiago’s statement, saying that the latter always jests about her health condition.

Santiago was diagnosed with lung cancer early last year, but announced in October that was already cleared of the disease.

Meanwhile, Marcos maintained that he and Santiago are both ready for the rigors of the 90-day campaign period.

“Gaano katagal na naming pinaghahandaan itong kampanya, so both Senator Miriam and I are ready for the campaign trail. At pareho naman kaming sanay sa kampanya lalo na sa local at pati na sa national [level]. We know what to expect,” Marcos said.

“We have to remember, this is not a sprint, this is a long race. We have 90 days and we have to make sure that we make full use of all those 90 days,” Marcos said.

Asked what will be his strategy to further boost his ranking in poll surveys, Marcos said: “Campaign. There is no secret but to reach as many areas as possible”.

Marcos, placed second in the recent poll surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station behind Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

Santiago, however, placed last in recent presidential surveys. — BAP, GMA News