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MANILA, Philippines – After days of speculation, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago finally dropped the bomb – Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr will be her running mate in the 2016 elections.
On Tuesday, October 13, Santiago announced her presidential bid during the launch of her book, Stupid is Forevermore, driving the “Twitterverse in frenzy for their newfound hope.” (READ: ‘#Miriam2016: Social media rockstar gives netizens hope‘ )
Reporters then asked who her running mate would be, but she only dropped a hint – he is someone who has already declared his vice presidential bid – leaving netizens guessing as to who the “chosen one” is.
Miriam-Bongbong would be a very strong team #Miriam2016
— neoxyrel (@neoxyrel) October 13, 2015
Praying for a Santiago-Marcos tandem, this one is for the books #Miriam2016
— Yvanna (@jazbogaerde) October 13, 2015
I hope Miriam Santiago picks Bongbong Marcos as her running mate. Please.
— Neil Paterno (@neilpaterno_) October 13, 2015
I hope Miriam Santiago picks Bongbong Marcos as her running mate. Please.
— Neil Paterno (@neilpaterno_) October 13, 2015
Here comes the big surprise. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Bongbong Marcos Tandem coming soon?
— matt palentinos (@mattpalentinos) October 13, 2015
A lot of netizens had already guessed that it was going to be Marcos, and have declared their support for, or opposition to, the tandem.
President: Miriam Defensor Santiago
Vice-President: Bongbong Marcos
The Philippines will prosper under the genius minds and pure hearts
— Rai (@YouHadMeAtBello) October 13, 2015
President: Miriam Defensor Santiago
Vice-President: Bongbong Marcos
The Philippines will prosper under the genius minds and pure hearts
— Rai (@YouHadMeAtBello) October 13, 2015
dear sen. miriam, please don’t choose bongbong marcos as your running mate.
— Joie Ortega ❀ (@hoykatleya) October 13, 2015
Good news: Miriam Defensor-Santiago is running for President.
Bad news: She’s teaming up with Bongbong.
— Neen Sapalo (@NeenjaMoves) October 13, 2015
I hear Miriam’s running mate will be Bongbong. I get her naman kasi she needs the political machinery. Let’s just not vote for the latter.
— Alfonso Manalastas (@alfonsaurus_rex) October 13, 2015
Miriam, I love you but a woman of your caliber deserves a much better running mate. #MiriamNotMarcos
— Hanash Aguas (@_weeabby) October 13, 2015
If Miriam allies with Marcos that tells me all I need to know about vision for the Philippines.
— Nik (@iwriteasiwrite) October 14, 2015
On Thursday, October 15, the Twitterverse exploded with reactions when the social media savvy senator finally confirmed their speculations. By 12:30 pm, Santiago and Marcos were already trending on Twitter.
Miriam chose Bongbong as runningmate. This is as heartbreaking as Chris Paul’s buzzer beating layup in Game 7 against the Spurs. 🙁
— Lawrence Vivar (@lawrencevivs) October 15, 2015
Miriam getting Bongbong as her VP is like the biggest troll against Philippine social media lol
— Deeknoe · ディノ (@deeknoe) October 15, 2015
Some were disappointed with Santiago’s choice, citing the Marcos family’s dark past when its patriarch, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, imposed Martial Law.
Nothing against Bongbong, but really Miriam? Do u think he’s d right choice 4 ur VP? Even now my FB feed is full of stats about Martial Law.
— Belle (@jinglebelles17) October 15, 2015
Miriam picks Marcos as runningmate:
The brightest proves dim on history and impunity.
#juanvote
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) October 15, 2015
Miriam-Bongbong? Then if Miriam died because of her sickness (wag naman sana). Si Bongbong papalit? Then martial law ulit?
— John Andrew (@jacolonia) October 15, 2015
MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO IS RUNNING WITH BONGBONG MARCOS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
DAMI KONG TAWA MGA 30 YEARS SINCE MARTIAL LAW
— PUNYETAAAAA (@staennis) October 15, 2015
Miriam confirms Bongbong Marcos as her running-mate
me: pic.twitter.com/786CbIrERY
— Dildong Dantes (@tabsuki) October 15, 2015
Some speculated that Santiago chose Marcos to improve her chances of winning.
Siguro front lang ni Miriam si Bongbong to use each others’ influence, resources, but Miriam supports ibang candidate IRL. #BakitMiriam
— Joshua Mark (@joshuadalupang) October 15, 2015
Did Miriam release a statement saying she respects Marcos as VP? Am I too naive to believe that she’s using him to get the Solid North??
— Justin (@AHASINAS) October 15, 2015
This could end up like this: Miriam uses Bongbong, wins, then tells Bongbong hu u after. Brilliant politics move hahahahaha
— LVJ (@levijoshua) October 15, 2015
I understand the Miriam needs the Marcos’ money for the campaign, but it’s like selling urself to the devil. Also, that money is our taxes.
— MariaOsawa Bin Laden (@Cinephilliacy) October 15, 2015
There were those who rejoiced at the news.
If people are starving for a CHANGE then Miriam Defensor Santiago and Bongbong Marcos is the answer! #Halalan2016
— Atty.SOLIDARITY (@AttySolidarity) October 13, 2015
Sen. Miriam Santiago – Sen. Bongbong Marcos is the tandem the Philippines needs right now.
— grey (@greysinister) October 15, 2015
We will support Sen.Santiago for President and Sen. Marcos for Vice President!
— Alice (@alice_updates) October 15, 2015
Santiago said she will run under her own party, the People’s Reform Party, the same vehicle she used for her 1992 presidential bid.
“If I become president sometime in the very near future, this country will be much better than it was before. Today this country suffers from the malaise of plunder,” she said when she declared her bid.
What do you think of this new tandem? Tell us in the comments or write a reaction story on X. – 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.
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