Go, Miriam!

Miriam fumes at infomercials of 'dimwitted rhinos'

Maricar Bautista, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Monday again slammed government officials' infomercials in a fiery speech at the Senate, calling them a herd of "thick-skinned, dimwitted rhinoceros."

Even before delivering her privilege speech, Santiago was already hitting government officials for their infomercials, which she said was a form of electioneering.

One of the officials she vented her ire on was Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chairman Augusto Syjuco.

"Pasayaw-sayaw pa, ang puti na ng buhok niya! Hindi ba nakakahiya 'yan, nakakawala ng respeto sa ganoong uri ng opisyal sa publiko?" Santiago said.

Santiago cited a report by the Commission on Audit (COA) that said Syjuco's ad cost P28.3 million.

The senator also had words for Interior and Local Government secretary Ronaldo Puno.

"Sobra pang kapal ng make-up," she said.

Puno's infomercials from 2008 to 2009 reportedly cost nearly a million pesos.

"Tapos pina-bira niya ako sa kolumnista niya na hinahabol ko lang daw siya. Sino ba siya para habulin ko nang mag-isa? My goodness. I married one of the most handsome men in the entire country, and sasabihin niya hinahabol ko siya?," Santiago said.

Santiago said that since last year, Cabinet officials have already spent P118 million for their ads.

"Walang hiya na talaga ito. We have been invaded by a herd of rhinoceros that are not only thick-skinned, but also dimwitted," she said.

While delivering her speech, the senator was sidetracked by some people at the gallery.

"To those two girls there... will you please stop smiling and looking at your cellphones? If you're not listening to my speech, please step out, now!" Santiago shouted towards two women at the gallery.

Upon resuming her speech, Santiago insisted government agencies should not be given advertising funds.

She also called on television networks and non-government organizations to file a complaint before the Commission on Elections.

Santiago found an ally in her colleague, Richard Gordon, who questioned other senators who have their own infomercials.

Leading that list are Senators Manny Villar and Mar Roxas, who have both declared their intention to run for president in 2010.

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Hahahaha. Miriam never fails to entertain me. I so wish she becomes president. In fairness, pareho kami ng sentemiyento.

Kawawa naman 'yung mga babae sa gallery na pinagalitan niya.

She compared the rhinos to policticians... Kawawa naman 'yung mga rhinos. Nyahahahaha. Sana di siya awayin ng PETA for "verbally abusing" the poor rhinos