Press Release
January 21, 2014

MIRIAM: PDAF AND DAP SCAM POLITICIANS
WILL LOSE IN 2016 ELECTIONS

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago weighed in on possible 2016 presidential aspirants, saying voters should prove the power of righteous indignation against potential candidates allegedly connected with the PDAF and DAP controversies.

"I dare to hope and predict that any incumbent public official who runs for national public office in 2016, will lose in the elections, if the Ombudsman charges him with plunder or malversation, in connection with the pork barrel scam, and/or in connection with what appears to be the impeachment scam," she said.

Santiago took a shot at her enemies who are rumoured presidential aspirants, and said she has gone out of her way, despite suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, to expose their dishonesty and incompetence.

"As partners in crime, none of them deserve to be president or vice-president. The Filipino people have seen through their masks, and these clowns should stop current efforts at further pretense, such as being called "czar," when the person is only a presidential assistant," she said.

Santiago warned that the public should be vigilant in the two "potentially seismic political years" between 2014 and 2016 in the face of increasing numbers of self-serving press releases from those who hope to run for president or vice-president.

"The 2016 presidential elections are now within sight of the political horizon. We should now look at personalities amassing a mass base, popular in surveys, and issuing self-serving press releases. But are they good leaders?," she said.

Santiago said that for the next presidential elections, the Filipino people shall not look for a manager but should probe more deeply and look for a leader.

"Management is about coping with complexity. On the other hand, leadership is about coping with change. While the manager identifies results, a leader sets the direction," she said.

Santiago also urged voters to ensure that the country's next leader should be able to manage change effectively and should not insist on maintaining the status quo.

"To find a new leader, we have to look for a person with the important attributes of leadership, such as individual style and competencies; problem solving; effective communication, passion; and courage. At an individual level, the candidate should possess: general cognitive ability, crystallized cognitive ability; modification; and personality," she said.

Santiago made these remarks yesterday (21 January 2014) as the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies of the 40th Annual Convention of the Philippine Psychiatric Association, Inc.

"Both in the psychiatric profession and in presidential politics, leadership is crucial, as a product of both culture and vision. We are looking for a leader to provide a blueprint for Filipinos to follow," she said.

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