{"id":766883,"date":"2016-02-21T17:06:48","date_gmt":"2016-02-21T09:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/?p=766883"},"modified":"2016-04-04T17:49:55","modified_gmt":"2016-04-04T09:49:55","slug":"duterte-admits-santiago-his-greatest-rival-in-1st-presidential-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/766883\/duterte-admits-santiago-his-greatest-rival-in-1st-presidential-debate","title":{"rendered":"Duterte admits Santiago his greatest rival in 1st presidential debate"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte embrace warmly as other candidates go thru last-minute preparation. \u00a0PHOTO BY JOHN NERY\/黑料社<\/p><\/div>\n\n
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY\u2014The tough-talking Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte considers Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago as his greatest rival in the first presidential debate here.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cMiriam is bright. All the rest tabla na kami (we are in tie),\u201d Duterte told\u00a0黑料社<\/a> less than an hour before the debate.<\/p>\n\n Responding to Duterte\u2019s statements, Santiago said she and feisty mayor \u201chave been friends for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a comment of a true friend. We have been friends for a long time,\u201d Santiago said.<\/p>\n\n She said Duterte was one of the sponsors during the 25th wedding anniversary of her and husband Narciso Santiago Jr.<\/p>\n\n Duterte said he was \u201cexcited\u201d for the first presidential debate here for the upcoming 2016 national elections in May.<\/p>\n\n \u201cI am excited,\u201d the tough-talking mayor said, who arrived here on Sunday morning via a commercial plane.<\/p>\n\n However, given the limited time, Duterte acknowledged that he won\u2019t be able to present his platforms in full.<\/p>\n\n \u201cYou cannot present your platform of government with 60 seconds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n Earlier during the day, candidates were given the chance to have a podium check inside the auditorium, however, Duterte preferred not to attend it.<\/p>\n\n Peter Lavi\u00f1a, Duterte\u2019s spokesman, said their camp trust the organizers.<\/p>\n\n \u201cWe trust the organizers that the setting is ok and fair to all,\u201d Lavina said. With reports from Frances Mangosing\/RAM<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n RELATED STORIES<\/p>\n Duterte: I won\u2019t let Mindanao down in debate<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Duterte: I am the Filipino people\u2019s last card<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n