Rody to Miriam: How are you?

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte may be known for his foul language and his off-the-cuff comments but he does know how to flatter.

Duterte chose not to throw tough questions to his opponent Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago during the face-off segment of the third leg of the PiliPinas presidential debate Sunday.

“I am facing a woman who could become the president of this country,” the tough-talking mayor said.

“What can I ask of you? It is an insult to ask a question of such a learned woman? My question ma’am is how are you today?” he added, drawing laughs from the audience.

A smiling Santiago then told Duterte that she is “almost back to normal good health” because of a secret pill that is not yet available to market.

“(The pill) is being sold at atrociously expensive prices. It’s a miracle worker in a sense that I am almost normal now,” the senator said.

Duterte then remarked: “Oh come on, you’ll live for a thousand years. No doubt about it. I rest my case.”

Santiago also lashed at those who are spreading what she described as a “black propaganda” about her health.

The senator, who consistently ranked fifth in pre-election surveys, stressed that she is not backing out of the presidential race.

Santiago, who is known as a feisty, straightforward legislator, was diagnosed with advanced or stage four lung cancer in 2014. Her illness prevented her from attending sorties during the most part of the campaign period.