Miriam: Duterte ‘most dangerous’ presidential candidate

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Friday, May 6 called Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the “most dangerous” presidential candidate this 2016, after his “most trusted man” vowed to lead a revolution should he lose the race.

“Duterte is [the] most dangerous candidate. His most trusted man, Pastor [Apollo] Quiboloy, said he will lead a revolution if Duterte does not win,” Santiago said on Headstart on ANC on Friday.

Quiboloy, founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ, said during his 66th birthday celebration on April 25 predicted a landslide victory for the Davao City mayor.

Quiboloy’s birthday was attended by Duterte’s running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, as well as senatorial candidates Miguel Zubiri, Leila De Lima, Edu Manzano, and Sherwin Gatchalian, a few of Davao City’s candidates, Davao del Norte congressional candidate Antonio Floirendo, and Irene Marcos-Araneta, sister of vice presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Masyadong malalim ang Duterteng ito, di kagaya noon na akala natin straight shooting lang sya. What about the plunder accusations? (Duterte is very hard to read, unlike before when we thought he’s just straight shooting. What about the plunder allegations?),” Santiago told ANC.

Vice presidential candidate Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had showed a table with the supposed credit transactions of Duterte with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), involving about P211 million. (READ: BPI asks for 7 days to disclose Duterte bank details)

On Wednesday, May 4, Duterte showed a bank document, stating that he has only P17,816.98 in his BPI Julia Vargas account on March 31, 2014.

This document, however, lacked transaction history. Rappler tried to reach BPI executives for updates on the bank transactions, but they could not be reached as of press time.

Alleged ties with NPA

“Duterte’s ties with NPA (New People’s Army) will not help,” Santiago alleged.

She said the Davao City mayor is the candidate of the NPA, warning that his supporters may take up arms if he does not win on May 9. (READ: Palparan on Duterte: It’s fake bravery)

“NPA will act on the basis of their own ideology which is government is bad, and that government should be given to citizenry,” Santiago added.

In the most recent SWS pre-election survey released Thursday, May 5, Duterte still emerged the favored presidential bet of 33% of registered voters nationwide, despite the rape controversy and plunder allegations. 

Santiago said she would investigate commercial survey companies should she be elected as the next Philippine president.

“We cannot just sit down and take the antics of the commercial surveys. They want to dictate who will win in the elections,” the senator said.

“There are millions of people who are competent to run for president…We should vote for someone who is competent and has moral excellence,” Santiago said.

It will be a 5-way presidential race on Monday, May 9, among front runner Duterte, Senator Grace Poe, former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Santiago. — Chrisee de la Paz/Rappler.com