Miriam absent in Monday's impeachment trial

Citing health reasons, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago will be absent in Monday's impeachment proceedings.

 

In a letter to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Santiago said she will be absent from Monday's impeachment trial because of hypertension.

 

"This morning, after getting up from bed, my blood pressure was registered at 180/100.  After medication, it is now 160/90. These figures constitute the basis for the continuing diagnosis of hypertension, indicative of a possible stroke. Hence, I have to stay at home," she said.

 

She also asked the Senate secretariat to mark her as "on sick leave."

 

But Santiago said she asked Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III to read for her a question that she had prepared for Monday's session.

 

Last Thursday, Santiago also left the impeachment trial early due to high blood pressure.

 

The incident happened after she scolded and threatened to disqualify prosecutor Arthur Lim for supposedly challenging her authority.

Santiago was also absent during the first week of the trial because she suffering from hypertension. She went back to work last Tuesday. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News