FULL TEXT: Miriam Santiago: I’ll jail all pork barrel thieves

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago launched her campaign on Tuesday, February 9, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the home town and  bailiwick of her running mate Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

It was short – with her trademark pick-up lines that are a hit with young people reserved for a later forum on the same day.

But the speech made one big promise that surely resonated with anti-corruption advocates: she will make sure those who stole lawmakers’ development funds would be jailed under her presidency.

Here’s the full text of her speech:

Thank you very, very much for your kindness and generosity to me.

This is not the place or the time to explain my agenda of government. Hindi ito tamangpanahon o lugar para maging matagal ang akingtalumpati, kundi sasabihin ko lang na dapat mag-reporma na sa ating sistemang pampulitika dahil nakita na natin naang sistema ngayon ay hindi umuubra. Hindi nakakapagbigay ng empleyo sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa the hardest working and the most industrious of the Filipinos, those who live here in Ilocos Norte. Mamaya, bibigyan ko kayo ng pick-up lines pero doon pa sa Mariano Marcos State University.

Sasabihin ko lang sa inyo na ito ang pinaka-unangaraw ng kampanya opisyal ng ating gobyerno. On the first day, I came here because I’ve always admired the Ilocanos, and to signify my whole-hearted support for Bongbong Marcos as the next vice-president. 

If I’m elected president and something happens to me, we want somebody young and idealistic, as you have witnessed, to take over the reins of government. Ako naman inaalok kolang ang aking kasaysayan sa gobyerno dahil maramingmga sikreto ang gobyerno kaya ang pork barrel hindinapupunta sa taumbayan.

I tell you this, once I become president of this country, all the people who stole the pork barrel amounting to billions of Philippine pesos shall be sent promptly to brand new jails. Pumili sila ng kulungan nila, merong ordinaryo, merong business class, merong first class, pero kulong silang lahat.

Thank you very, very much. I will be back many times. Thank you.

– Rappler.com