Miriam on cancer questions: The law, my guardian angel allow me to run

Presidential candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Sunday maintained that she is qualified to run for the highest office in the country despite her battle with cancer, pointing out that there is no provision in the 1987 Constitution that prohibits a person from running due to health.

"Karapatan ko yan under our Constitution. Wala naman constitutional provision na nagsasabing if you are sick of something, you should be disqualified," Santiago said during the first Pilipinas Debates 2016 held in Cagayan De Oro City.

During the first round of the debate, Santiago was asked why she is still aspiring for the highest office despite battling lung cancer.

Santiago responded that being diagnosed with cancer does not mean that she is already on her way to the grave but was in fact was on her way to complete recovery.

"Hindi mo ba alam na ang sakit tumataas o bumababa o nawawala, magtatanong ka kung bakit may sakit ka tumatakbo ka. Karapatan ko yan," Santiago said.

Santiago had earlier stated that her cancer cells have already regressed.

She said that she was in fact, ready to die after she was diagnosed with the dreaded disease, but the Divine force seemed to be on her side.

"I was at the height of cancer Stage 4. Stage 4 is the last stage, nag aantay na nga ako mamatay, e hindi ako pinatay ng guardian angel ko e!" Santiago said drawing cheers from the crowd.

Santiago said she wants to run for president for the third time because she wanted to dedicate her whole life in serving the country, especially in terms of fighting graft and corruption.

"I do not want to lie in bed and feel sorry for the country. I fact I never lie in bed. I felt sorry for my country. Because graft and corruption is endemic and everybody speaks about it but no one has done so much except [Davao City] Mayor Rodrigo Duterte," Santiago said.

In rebutting Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he believes that she was telling the truth about her health condition.

"I do not want to engage into an argument with the good Senator Miriam Santiago. She is telling you the truth," Duterte said.

"I do not see Senator Santiago passing away within the next 20 years. So what's the problem [with her running for president]?" Duterte added.

In his opening statement during the debate, Duterte in fact said that Santiago is one of the only two candidates qualified to become president.—JST, GMA News