A TOP official of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD warned the Nationalista Party and its president, Sen. Manuel Villar, from drafting Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago in their senatorial slate.
“It is their (NP) call but given Santiago’s erratic behavior and sudden burst of umbrage against Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo, it might affect their chances at the polls next year,” said the official, who requested not to be named.
The official said he is giving his “unsolicited” advice to Villar “because of my high regards for him and his advocacies.”
Santiago since last year has been saying she is considering retiring from politics but surprised the Senate media last week when she backtracked and said she might still run for reelection. However, the feisty lawmaker hinted she would not run under the administration ticket.
The source said the heavy criticisms Mrs. Arroyo has been getting from Santiago in the aftermath of the “costly” dinner in New York and Washington, D.C. during their official visit to the United States last month for a meeting with Pres. Barack Obama, is now seen as a “prelude” to Santiago’s desertion of the President’s political camp.
“It seems she is laying down the groundwork for her eventual desertion of the President’s camp while boosting her credibility with the opposition and the easiest way to this of course is to lash back at the President,” the source added.
The NP, which last week bared its initial list of candidates for the Senate, said they would welcome the addition of Santiago to their senatorial lineup that already include lawyer Adel Tamano, NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, Ilocos Norte Cong. Bongbong Marcos, former Sen. Butz Aquino and cashiered military officer Ariel Querubin.
For its part, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said the official, is already wary of accommodating Santiago for next year’s polls. “Many in the party are still hurt by the way she has been lashing at the President and wary of her emerging reputation as a political butterfly.”
The source noted the tirade by Santiago against Mrs. Arroyo over the “outlandish” dinner in New York and Washington as well as Mrs. Arroyo’s alleged “ballooning” of wealth as reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), caught many in Malacañang by surprise. “The President was both hurt and surprised by Santiago’s remarks,” the source added.
In the controversial dinner, Santiago not only wants Mrs. Arroyo to make an explanation but to also make a public apology for the “mistake.”
In 2004, Santiago was supposed to merge her People’s Reform Party (PRP), with the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) the political party of former President Joseph Estrada.
At the last minute, however, Santiago reneged on her commitment with Estrada and instead ran under the “unity” ticket of Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo, taking along with her former Sen. John Osmeña, who lost.
