Miriam Santiago in ICU reportedly due to lung cancer complications

MANILA, Philippines - (Updated June 2 10 a.m.) "Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is feeling better now. She is scheduled to return from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a private room of Makati Medical Center. She thanks you for your well wishes and concern," the 2016 presidential candidate's staff announced on Facebook.

Miriam Santiago

On Tuesday night, May 31, Santiago has been transferred to the ICU due to lung cancer complications.

Based on the statement from her public affairs team on Wednesday, June 1, the feisty senator was rushed to the hospital by ambulance on Monday, May 30.

Although it was not clarified why the Iron Lady of Asia was brought to the hospital, the 70-year-old senator’s husband Narciso “June” Santiago said she is “sick and suffered complication.”

Santiago was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2014. Barely a year after revealing her life-threatening disease, Santiago claimed she have “conquered” cancer and announced her plans to seek the presidency for the third time.

However, the veteran senator lost her presidential bid in the May 9, 2016 elections, placing last behind four other contenders in the race.

According to her husband, Santiago "is bearing well with her trademark sense of humor.”

Mr. Santiago also advised the public that visitors are not allowed and gifts such as flowers and other blooms will not be accepted.

"Miriam said that she thanks all her family, friends, supporters, fans, and others who helped pray for her recovery and sent their well-wishes on Facebook,” Mr. Santiago said in a statement.

Just a few weeks after the elections, the outgoing senator informed Senate President Franklin Drilon that she will continue her medical leave for cancer due to anorexia or inability to eat, one of the side effects of her anti-cancer medications.

In a letter addressed to Drilon, she revealed that anorexia has made her “physically and mentally weak”.

"My staff and I shall be ready to vacate our offices by June 30 2016,” she wrote in her letter to Drilon.

--Mini, The Summit Express



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