Fact Check: Can people with illnesses still run for president?  

In the first Pilipinas Debates 2016 held in Cagayan De Oro City on Sunday, presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was asked why she still aspired for the highest office in the country despite battling lung cancer.

In her response, Santiago pointed out that there is no provision in the 1987 Constitution that prohibits a sick person from running.

"Wala naman constitutional provision na nagsasabing if you are sick of something you should be disqualified," she said.

Indeed, there is no provision requiring that a presidential candidate must be free from serious illness.

In Article VII, Section 2 of the Constitution, the only requirements cited for a person running for president and vice president is that he or she must be "a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election."

There is also no provision in the Constitution requiring presidential candidates to disclose to the public their medical records.

Meanwhile, under Article VII, Section 12 of the Constitution, only the President — and not presidential candidates — is required to inform the public of his or her health, but only "in cases of serious illness."

"In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness," it reads.

Santiago had earlier maintained that she will not make public her medical records as it is against her right to privacy enshrined both in the Civil Code and Penal Code of the country.

"No. Because that's my right to privacy. Sa Civil Code and Criminal Code, 'di pwedeng pilitin ang pasyente na ibunyag ang relasyon nila ng doktor nya," Santiago said.

Santiago issued the statement after a private doctor challenged her to reveal her medical records to prove her claim that her cancer cells have already regressed.

Under Chapter 2, Article 26 of the Civil Code, "every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons."

VERDICT: True

— RSJ, GMA News