Manila, Philippines - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago announced on Wednesday that her cancer has regressed and she is now thinking of several career options for the 2016 national elections.
The senator said she will run for president, if there are enough "like-minded" supporters for her led by Fr. Joaquin Bernas.
In a TV show last Tuesday, Fr. Bernas said that President Aquino should no longer seek a second term and to "give Miriam (Santiago) naman a chance."
Bernas is a recognized authority in constitutional law, and was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Convention. Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is limited to a single term of six years. Asked by media to comment, Santiago said: "I have licked cancer, and I'm actually thinking of several career options. By 2016, I will be disqualified by law to seek another term as senator. At present, my life projects include participation in the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) based in Rome, or writing books on foreign policy at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.
Last June, oncologists led by world-famous lung cancer specialist Dr. Ronald Natale and Dr. Gary Lorenzo, coordinating with cardiologist and herself a cancer survivor, Dr. Esperanza Cabral, issued a diagnosis on lung cancer, stage 4 (last stage), on Santiago. Santiago was placed on medication called Tarceva (aka Erlotinib) for six weeks, at only one table a day.
Last August 12, St. Lukes Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City issued a report on a PET/CT Scan stating that the tumor in Santiago's "left lung has regressed," meaning that it has become smaller.
"The latest lab test shows that the cancer cells are waving a white flag. During this time, I only have to work on my stamina. During the six-week period of treatment, I was even able to work on the 2014 editions of some 10 law books which are scheduled for release by the end of the year," she said.
"I'm not going to be coy. Society leaders have urged me to seek the presidency. I can rise to the occasion, although I was following the other sign posts on the road to recovery," the senator said.
Santiago said that although she has always ran for public office under her own People's Reform Party, this time she will need to coalesce with one or both among the Liberal Party headed by Sec. Abaya, and the Nationalista Party headed by former Sen. Manny Villar.
"After I was diagnosed with cancer, Sen. Manny went to my house and told me, among other things, that my popularity level is very high. But he also said that he is encouraging several hopefuls to raise their survey ratings," Santiago said.
Santiago quoted from a poem that she recited during the funeral ceremonies for her son who died at 23 years old: "Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep."
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| Senator Miriam Santiago has licked lung cancer |
The senator said she will run for president, if there are enough "like-minded" supporters for her led by Fr. Joaquin Bernas.
In a TV show last Tuesday, Fr. Bernas said that President Aquino should no longer seek a second term and to "give Miriam (Santiago) naman a chance."
Bernas is a recognized authority in constitutional law, and was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Convention. Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is limited to a single term of six years. Asked by media to comment, Santiago said: "I have licked cancer, and I'm actually thinking of several career options. By 2016, I will be disqualified by law to seek another term as senator. At present, my life projects include participation in the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) based in Rome, or writing books on foreign policy at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.
Last June, oncologists led by world-famous lung cancer specialist Dr. Ronald Natale and Dr. Gary Lorenzo, coordinating with cardiologist and herself a cancer survivor, Dr. Esperanza Cabral, issued a diagnosis on lung cancer, stage 4 (last stage), on Santiago. Santiago was placed on medication called Tarceva (aka Erlotinib) for six weeks, at only one table a day.
Last August 12, St. Lukes Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City issued a report on a PET/CT Scan stating that the tumor in Santiago's "left lung has regressed," meaning that it has become smaller.
"The latest lab test shows that the cancer cells are waving a white flag. During this time, I only have to work on my stamina. During the six-week period of treatment, I was even able to work on the 2014 editions of some 10 law books which are scheduled for release by the end of the year," she said.
"I'm not going to be coy. Society leaders have urged me to seek the presidency. I can rise to the occasion, although I was following the other sign posts on the road to recovery," the senator said.
Santiago said that although she has always ran for public office under her own People's Reform Party, this time she will need to coalesce with one or both among the Liberal Party headed by Sec. Abaya, and the Nationalista Party headed by former Sen. Manny Villar.
"After I was diagnosed with cancer, Sen. Manny went to my house and told me, among other things, that my popularity level is very high. But he also said that he is encouraging several hopefuls to raise their survey ratings," Santiago said.
Santiago quoted from a poem that she recited during the funeral ceremonies for her son who died at 23 years old: "Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep."
