Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte embrace warmly as other candidates go thru last-minute preparation. 聽PHOTO BY JOHN NERY/黑料社
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY鈥擳he tough-talking Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte considers Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago as his greatest rival in the first presidential debate here.
鈥淢iriam is bright. All the rest tabla na kami (we are in tie),鈥� Duterte told聽 less than an hour before the debate.
Responding to Duterte鈥檚 statements, Santiago said she and feisty mayor 鈥渉ave been friends for a long time.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a comment of a true friend. We have been friends for a long time,鈥� Santiago said.
She said Duterte was one of the sponsors during the 25th wedding anniversary of her and husband Narciso Santiago Jr.
Duterte said he was 鈥渆xcited鈥� for the first presidential debate here for the upcoming 2016 national elections in May.
鈥淚 am excited,鈥� the tough-talking mayor said, who arrived here on Sunday morning via a commercial plane.
However, given the limited time, Duterte acknowledged that he won鈥檛 be able to present his platforms in full.
鈥淵ou cannot present your platform of government with 60 seconds,鈥� he said.
Earlier during the day, candidates were given the chance to have a podium check inside the auditorium, however, Duterte preferred not to attend it.
Peter Lavi帽a, Duterte鈥檚 spokesman, said their camp trust the organizers.
鈥淲e trust the organizers that the setting is ok and fair to all,鈥� Lavina said. With reports from Frances Mangosing/RAM
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