Cover image via The Philippine Star
Miriam-Defensor Santiago is not your typical presidential candidate. Why? Because she is most certainly overqualified.
Image via NDBC News
She has not only served in all of the three branches of the government to give her enough experience to deserve the position, but she has been fighting corruption ever since she started serving the country
"We must look for other ways to fight corruption. I invite you, the young people, to join the crusade against corruption and the task of nation building. Begin by making sure that society does not condone corruption. Corruption only exists in a society that allows it," said Santiago, according to [Rappler] (http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/131230-miriam-santiago-fight-corruption-tips).
Image via The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Santiago was also recognized as the laureate of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is known as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize and was given to Santiago for her "bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency," according to the [Senate of the Philippines website] (http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/santiago_bio_copy(1).asp).
Image via Rappler
Ever since she run for a presidential seat in 1992 — which was allegedly marred by the winning candidate — we have been rooting for our favorite Senator to become the next president of the Philippines!
"I articulate the deepest need of the Filipino people, which is reform of a corrupt culture. I don't necessarily believe people were voting for me so much as they were voting for change," said Santiago, according to [The New York Times] (http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/13/world/anti-corruption-campaigner-and-general-lead-in-early-philippine-returns.html).
Image via ABS-CBN News
Eventually, Santiago became the darling of the press — both local and international
Santiago was featured by TIME, The Economist, New York Times, Washington Post, and International Herald Tribune, among others. She graced dozens of magazine covers. They tried to capture her colorful personality with such accolades as: the Incorruptible Lady, the Iron Lady of Asia, the Dragon Lady, the Platinum Lady, and the undisputed campus heroine. Her intense and passionate orations against corruption captured the public imagination. On the invitation of universities and civic groups, she began a hectic nationwide speaking tour that would continue for at least one decade, according to Miriam Santiago's [website] (http://miriam.com.ph/aboutmiriam.php).
Image via The Summit Express
What makes her stand-out from her politicking peers is that she's so witty and she loves to make everyone laugh with her deadpan remarks — especially the youth! Who could've thought that the Iron Lady of Asia actually has a soft heart?
"Dahil ang katangian na ipinapakita ko ay mga katangian na gusto ng mga estudyante. Una, ayaw nila ng binobola sila. Dahil sa tingin nila mas marunong pa sila sa mga nagsasalita. 'Yung pupunta sa campus nila, magli-lecture doon ng kung anu-anong English na mali naman. Ayaw ng estudyante yun. Ang gusto nila, mas magaling sa kanila, at nagsasabi ng totoo higit sa lahat," said Santiago on how she relates to the youth, according to [PEP.ph] (http://www.pep.ph/celeb/spotlight/30318/senator-miriam-defensor-santiago-on-the-filipino-youth-ayaw-nila-ng-binobola-sila).
Image via Inquirer
A little trivia: Santiago wanted to take up literature in college, but later changed her mind when her father told her that she would only end up working as a professor
"He asked if that was what I wanted. "And we have a lot of relatives who are criminals, so you should be a lawyer." Many of my relatives were honor graduates but many of them were also cattle rustlers, or they were always murdering people or burning other people's houses (laughs). My father represented them all and acquitted most of them. That was the future laid out for me."
Image via The Philippine Daily Inquirer
In 2014, she published a book entitled, "Stupid is Forever" which is a compilation of jokes, one-liners, pickup lines, comebacks and speeches she delivered herself
"It could be an indication that the public is weighed down by anxieties of the investigations being conducted in both the House of Congress and Senate. I think there's this feeling of being dragged down by reports of wrong-doing in our government. They want to see a brighter side of the Filipino. That could explain why this book is so popular," said Santiago on why her book, "Stupid is Forever", is becoming popular, according to [PEP.ph] (http://www.pep.ph/celeb/spotlight/30318/senator-miriam-defensor-santiago-on-the-filipino-youth-ayaw-nila-ng-binobola-sila).
Santiago thanked the "millions of stupid people" for inspiring her to come up with the book, according to [ABS-CBN News] (http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/12/22/14/read-22-funny-lines-miriams-stupid-book).
Image via ABS-CBN News
Image via Pinterest Lei Baldonade
Image via Kalibrr
Santiago, now 70 years old, declared her candidacy on 13 October during the signing session of her book, Stupid is Forever More
When Santiago found out that she has cancer last 2015, she accepted it as a challenge and told everyone that her condition shouldn't be an election issue
Image via The Philippine Daily Inquirer
"My cancer should no longer be a concern in the presidential campaign. I challenge my opponents and their allies to debate instead on issues of national concern. The cancer that demands our urgent attention is corruption and poverty," said Santiago, according to [Rappler] (http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/115295-miriam-santiago-carter-cancer).
Santiago cast her [vote] (http://says.com/ph/news/these-electoral-candidates-have-already-cast-their-votes) early Monday morning in Quezon City
Win or lose, we will support you as long as you want to serve the people of the Philippines. Mabuhay po kayo! #SalamatMiriam
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