Senator Miriam Santiago may run in 2016 elections

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (Photo from Santiago’s website)

MANILA – Despite being on leave from the Senate while seeking treatment for her lung cancer, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago still topped the latest presidential preferences survey conducted by Publicus Asia.

Placing second in the voters’ list of preferred presidential candidates for next year’s elections, Santiago was ‘happily surprised’ and reconsidered joining the coming presidential race.

Senator Grace Poe led the list, followed by Santiago, Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Santiago was pleased with her ranking, noting that those who came after her were currently active serving in the government whereas she was on leave for more than a year.

“To remain in the consciousness of voters despite an absence of over a year is certainly a challenge, including remaining in public service. And I consider it in that light,” she said.

Santiago, however, still could not officially announce her interest in seeking higher office as she claimed not having the financial capacity.

“There are excessive estimates of P15 billion to P20 billion for the 2016 elections.

I was not a member of the pork barrel scam so I don’t have this amount. I never sold my body so I don’t have this amount,” she earlier said.

‘Cancer growth controlled’

Santiago has been continuing her treatment under renowned medical oncologist Mark Kris of the Thoracic Oncology Service at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, USA.

Kris has been working hand in hand with the senator’s Filipino doctors former health and social welfare secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral, oncologist Dr. Gary Lorenzo and pulmonologist Dr. Ruth Divinagracia. The team of doctors has been examining the findings of her PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography) Scans.

Based from the recent results, Santiago has been told of being able to ‘control the cancer’ as there was no further ‘cancer growth in her left lung.’

“Kris said that although no patient can be pronounced cured of cancer, [I], while following the medical prescriptions of Kris, [have] been able to control the cancer,” she said in a statement.

Slowly recovering, the ‘elated and gratified’ senator still tried to fulfill her duties and attend hearings but has been advised to stay at home while treatments were still ongoing.