Almost Miriam: 8 Current Senators with MDS-Like Qualities
Sep 30, 2016 • Tim Henares
4. Loyalty: Alan Peter Cayetano
Via newscentral.ph
The Justification: For as long as she is politically aligned with them, Senator Santiago will stand by you, even when you are wrong, although she isn’t afraid to still point out mistakes when she sees them every now and then. Just ask PNoy, whom she was allied with. Senator Cayetano has been nothing but loyal to the current president, even brushing aside the fact that his president supports the Vice Presidentiable APC hates the most, and freed the woman he crusaded against prior to 2010. It would have been so sweet if it weren’t that much more cloying.
Why He’s No Miriam: While they are both loyal for as long as an alliance exists (it’s a nice way of saying they can be political butterflies, but who isn’t?), Senator Santiago is much more successful in love than Alan is, and makes for a great matchmaker. Just ask Chiz and Heart.
3. Tenure: Franklin Drilon
Via alchetron.com
The Justification: A lengthy and productive tenure in the Senate? Look no further than Senators Santiago and Drilon, really. This hardly needs any explanation.
Why He’s No Miriam: He doesn’t have Miriam’s fire. But then, who does?
2. Resilience: Nancy Binay
The Justification: In the face of criticism and insults, who weathered through it all and still came across looking like a true stateswoman when her political rival ended up getting an unexpected show of support from her? That’s what Nancy Binay pulled off. Senator Santiago was just as resilient to adversity, having run for president in 1992, 1998, and 2016, all without missing a beat, which is more than can be said for the likes of Senators Hontiveros or Legarda, whose electoral losses were huge stumbling blocks.
Why She’s No Miriam: When was the last time we’ve seen Senator Binay vigorously debate anything in the Senate?
1. Intellect: Nobody
As much as we wish we could fill in the void left behind by one Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, her intellect and brilliance simply remains unmatched in the august halls of the Senate within her generation. As brilliant as Senator Enrile was, and even setting aside our lack of enthusiasm for him, Senator Santiago was that much smarter, and she made sure everyone knew it.
You will be missed, Senator Santiago. That your brilliance will no longer illuminate the Senate ever again has made it just a little dimmer from this day on.
Got any more Pinoys in the Senate who are comparable to the late, great MDS? Tell us in the comments below!
