Who did Miriam, Duterte think was the best among their rivals in PiliPinas Debates 2016?

Although sparks flew at the first PiliPinas 2016 presidential debate, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte still had nice words to say about the rivals they sparred with on stage.

Santiago, who was in fighting form during the debate even though she had to sit down in between takes, on Sunday evening said she found administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II the best debater among her four rivals.

The senator, however, said Roxas appeared to have difficulty connecting with the audience because of his seeming emotionless way of speaking.

“Si Mar Roxas, substantive ang sinasabi niya pero parang wala siyang emotion kaya hindi siya maka-connect nang mabuti… [Ang] pinapaliwanag niya maliwanag sa akin kaya lang ang audience, hindi sila sana na-seryoso lahat,” she told GMA News' Ian Cruz following the conclusion of the debate at the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City.

Santiago also took the opportunity to clarify why she had to sit down often when it was not her turn to speak.

“I just have trouble getting up and sitting down because of the pinched nerve in my lower back. Many people have had that experience so they understand," she said.

Despite choosing Roxas as the best debater, the senator said the four other presidential bets did equally well in their own way.

“They were all doing their best and I am proud to be running with them,” she said.

Sought for comment on Santiago’s remark, Roxas said he was thankful that the senator found him a worthy opponent.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Inday Miriam. Siya’y isang henyo. Genius siya, topnotcher. Kung ‘yan ang kanyang pasya, maraming salamat,” he said.

Duterte, meanwhile, said he found Santiago and Senator Grace Poe as the best speakers in the debate.

“Bakit si Miriam? She’s articulate and she's good. And si Grace, a very articulate fast talker," he said.

For her part, Poe chose none among her rivals as the best speaker, saying it is up to the public to judge who excelled in the debate.

“Bilang pag-respeto sa aking mga katunggali dahil ako ay isang kandidato rin, siguro mas maayos na rin na ang mga kababayan natin na magsabi kung sino,” she said.

Poe said she was not surprised that Duterte chose her and Santiago as his top picks in the debate because they happen to be the only female candidates in the presidential race.

“Eh papaano pareho kaming babae. Alam mo naman si Mayor Duterte,” she said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay refused to be interviewed after the debate even when members of the media waited for him near the stage.

Although Duterte was at the debate from start to finish, he said the times allotted for each candidate to speak and rebut were too short.

“Kung ganito kai-igsi, I’d rather mag-kampanya na lang ako. Dapat diyan, hindi one minute, one minute. We are talking of the Philippines. Is that the value of the country?” he asked.

During the debate, each candidate was given one minute for an opening statement, two minutes for a closing statement, one minute and 30 seconds to answer a question, one minute for rebuttal, and 30 seconds for counter-rebuttal.

Duterte had threatened to walk out of the debate if he was unsatisfied with the time given to him to speak.

Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista described the first PiliPinas debate as a “good start” for the succeeding pre-election debates that will be held in March and April.

“Magandang simulain ito sabi ko nga. And hopefully we can build on that para susunod na debate—na kasing ganda o may igaganda pa,” he said.

The two-hour debate in Cagayan de Oro City was presented by the Comelec together with GMA Network and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. —Xianne Arcangel/KG, GMA News