SENATOR Miriam Defensor Santiago was a big loss during the presidential debate in Cebu on Sunday, her vice presidential bet Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.
In an interview on the sidelines of his Unity Caravan in Makati City, Marcos said Santiago’s absence during the debate was a big loss in terms of the level of discussion.
“If she was there the level of the discussion among the candidates would have been higher,” Marcos said.
He said many people missed Santiago because she was the best debater among the presidential candidates.
“She has the record not only as a debater but as a judge, legislator and senator,” Marcos said.
“We feel she would have done very well as she always does.”
Marcos said he remained hopeful Santiago would be able to join the last round of debates next month.
Santiago skipped the Cebu leg of the presidential debates because she was undergoing tests for a new anti-cancer pill.
While he refused to say who did well in the debate, Marcos said he could sense that in the second round, the determination of each candidate to stand out was strong.
“They were determined to stand out,” he said.