Miriam announces presidential run in 2016

(Updated 4:59 p.m.) Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has announced her intention to run for president in the 2016 elections.

In a news conference following a book signing event, Santiago revealed that she had already defeated the Stage Four lung cancer that kept her from attending sessions of the Senate for more than a year.

The senator was initially coy when asked about her political plans. "I cannot say under the law that I will run for president but I am allowed to say that I am running for office."

But when pressed if she was running for president. she answered, "In so far as I'm concerned."

"Definitely I will run because I've already gotten over my bout with cancer and there's nothing left to do," Santiago said.

"I can apply for a job abroad like the one I lost because of my cancer but since I have served the government from the very beginning I will end my career here," she added.

Santiago said she would also have a vice president — someone who has already declared an intention to run for the second highest elective position.

Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., and Alan Peter Cayetano have all declared their intention to seek the vice presidency next year, but have no official running mate. Trillanes, however, has expressed his support for Grace Poe.

Santiago said she would likely file her certificate of candidacy on Friday.

Members of @senmiriam's staff are wearing this shirt at her event in Glorietta today. Will she run for president? pic.twitter.com/2OVaHNOcQJ

— Jam Sisante (@jamsisante) October 13, 2015

Third time's a charm?

Santiago would be running under her People's Reform Party, the same party she founded and ran under when she sought the presidency in 1992 and in 1998.

Asked about her senatorial line up, Santiago said, "That's for you to guess."

During the event for her book "Stupid is Forevermore", Santiago's staff wore red shirts with the hashtag "#MIRIAM2016" printed on the back.

During her message to the audience, Santiago said: "If I become president sometime in the very near future, this country will be much better than it was before." —NB/JST, GMA News