#influentialperson

MEDIA LOG (INFLUENTIAL PERSON)

  PART I (Summary):

  69 year-old Miriam Defensor-Santiago, apart from being a prominent Filipino lawmaker, is widely known for her extravagant wit and sense of humor. She has been a public servant for 44 years and was once recognized as a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for ‘bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency’.

Senator Santiago is also well-known for her speeches, which are considered to be most awaited by the public.

Last August 28, 2013, Dano Tingtungco of GMA News TV: State of the Nation reported a news pertaining to Sen. Santiago addressing a speech about the Pork Barrel Scam. In this speech, she pointed out how sick she is of the senate and congress members constantly washing hands on the graft and corruption issue the Philippine government was currently facing.

Aside from her jokes and pick-up lines automatically (and effortlessly) hitting the headlines on Philippine news, her long crusade against corruption and unwavering devotion to the country made me consider her as one of the most influential people existing.

PART II (Reaction/Reflection):

              “The brain of a Filipino politician has two sides: the left and the right. The left has nothing right in it. The right has nothing left in it.”

            As unpredictable as it gets, the awaiting punch lines of Senator Santiago are ready to strike the interest of the listeners, because the moment she opens her mouth, the audience opens their minds. A combination of sensible and satiric statements, which create huge impact, will then be delivered. The spontaneity, as well as the tone of being sarcastic and straightforward, also helps the listeners to concentrate and stick to her lectures attentively, thus persuades them to be vigilant about the said issue.

            As for me, realization and affirmation are two insights I have gained while viewing the video. Her message is quite simple --- pass the Freedom of Information Bill and make a website wherein people can find out the financial statements of every senator, congressman and public official.

Although, some politicians and their loyal subordinates may oppose on this for the reason that they are protecting their hidden agenda, it came up into my mind that if her proposal of passing such bill will be mandated, then it will be a great progress to the awareness of the Filipino people on how taxes are being spent by the government.

Therefore, my reflection towards the transparency of every leader in the country just proves how the strategies used by the senator are effective ways of encouraging her audience to believe and agree on her point of views. 

You will be dearly missed.