With 90 percent of cancer licked, Miriam plans resumption of Senate duties

 

“I’m hoping—in fact, it’s in my calendar, October 20—to begin attending again the plenary session. But it is all beyond me. All depends on how the medication and the diagnosis plus of course the laboratory tests,” Santiago said.

 

“I’ve just finished with my third month tests. I’m supposed to be tested every three months. And now the findings is 90 percent of them (cancer cells) are dead. That’s what will happen to all my enemies (as well),” she added.

 

But despite her jolly attitude, Santiago admitted that she was still weak.

 

“What you saw right now is just a performance. I was very dizzy and my muscles were not working, I was almost falling over. That is why you see me always holding on to people’s hands. My fingers are bleeding, that’s part of cancer, they bleed for no reason,” Santiago said. 

Santiago remains on an extended sick leave from the Senate. She was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in 2013. In July, she revealed that she had Stage Four lung cancer.

The senator has expressed optimism that she would beat the disease with the help of oral chemotherapy or a targeted treatment that operated at the molecular level.

Even while on leave from the Senate, she attends carefully chosen committee hearings, and accepts speaking engagements. She spoke before the national convention of the Philippine Association of Real Estate Board on Friday in Muntinlupa.