#Miriam2016: Social media rockstar gives netizens hope

MANILA, Philippines – #Miriam2016 made rounds in social media as Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago announced her presidential bid on Tuesday, October 13.

Santiago said her running mate is someone who has already declared. She will run under her own party, the People’s Reform Party (PRP), the same vehicle she used for her 1992 presidential bid.

Netizens were quick to announce their support for Santiago, who is known for being a “top performer” in the senate, both in terms of bills passed and her fiesty persona during hearings.

Santiago is also popular for her witty and funny pick-up lines.

Netizens support Miriam

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Many netizens said they became “hopeful” for the country’s future because of Santiago’s decision, pushing #Miriam2016 to Twitter’s trending topics in the Philippines.

In an hour after Santiago declared her presidential bid at about 3pm, Tuesday, the hashtag #Miriam2016 racked up almost 24 million impressions, according to Rappler’s social listening tool Reach. On Twitter, “impressions” means “the times a user is served a Tweet in timeline or search results.”

So stoked to learn that Miriam is running for president. There’s still hope for the Philippines!  #Miriam2016

— Matt Anthony (@MattAnthony79) October 13, 2015

#Miriam2016 is what this country needs give her the presidency that she lost years ago and let her run the country now

— spøøky den (@thebottleden) October 13, 2015

Others saw Santiago as the best alternative, given Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he will not run for the presidency.

Duterte will not run for president, so thank God that Miriam will! #Miriam2016

— Polaris (@MisguidEDEN) October 13, 2015

No Duterte? No Problem!!! @senmiriam Defensor Santiago is here!!! #Miriam2016

— Abs Pandapatan (@BoyJapan_) October 13, 2015

Santiago added that she will run since she’s already gotten over her cancer and “there’s nothing left to do.” The 70-year-old senator announced she had Stage 4 lung cancer in July 2014 and went on leave from the Senate. In a press statement in July 2015, she declared that her lung cancer had been “licked”.

The lawmaker ran for president in 1992 but lost to then Defense Secretary Fidel V Ramos. – Rappler.com

From Monday to Friday, October 12 to 16, those who want to run for public office are filing their certificates of candidacy (CoC). Help to keep track of these aspirants in your areas. Be citizen journalists at Comelec offices nationwide.