"Some leaders are born women." Geraldine Ferraro
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- If Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago becomes Philippine president and Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes US president this year, it will mark the first time that two lady presidents will lord over since the two countries signed the Treaty of General Relation on July 4, 1946.
The treaty relinquished American sovereignty over the archipelago following the end of World War II and the Philippines was recognized as an independent state.
It paved the way for the Philippine-American Friendship Day, which the Filipinos celebrate every 4th of July.
Like the late president Ferdinand Marcos, Santiago does not read her speech.
The Filipinos were so proud when Marcos spoke extemporaneously or without any prepared speech during a 1982 state visit in Washington D.C. after then President Ronald Reagan finished reading his prepared speech in a White House ceremony.
PERFECT
Older by two years, the 70-year-old Santiago would be Clinton's perfect counterpart in the Asia-Pacific as they are both members of the legal profession, and have deeper understanding of diplomatic relations and international law.
It would be a dream match to watch the two articulate and brilliant female leaders discuss issues in the age of technology and social media.
The summit meetings and state visits would no longer be boring.
There is also interesting comparison between their respective husbands.
While former president Bill was rumored to be a womanizer (who can forget the Monica Lewinsky scandal?), former DILG Undersecretary Narciso was rumored to be a gambler (cockfighting).
DELEGATES
But while Clinton is almost a cinch away from clinching the presidency in November (she is very much ahead in the number of delegates against Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries, and is favored based on various surveys to whip would-be Republican bet Donald Trump in the national contest), Santiago has not been doing well in surveys.
Her campaign has suffered a major snag due to health problems.
On the other hand, if Grace Poe wins in the May polls and Clinton clinches the US presidency, she may not be able to match Clinton's intellectual savvy and prowess; but, nevertheless, Poe will also make history like Santiago.
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