Husband says Miriam Santiago in good health, doing well

CEBU CITY - Former Interior undersecretary Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr. on Friday said that his wife and presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was in good health and can handle the rigors of the campaign.

 

“Walang problema sa kanyang cancer. Meron lang siyang pinched nerve. Yun lang,” said Mr. Santiago, was had accompanied his wife as she delivered a speech before the students of the University of Cebu-Banilad Campus.

 

Mrs. Santiago announced in July 2014 that she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. However, in October last year, a few days before the filing of the certificates of candidacy, she said her cancer had regressed due to advanced medication.

 

During the first leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 held in Cagayan De Oro City on Sunday, Mrs. Santiago was noticeably out of breath. Also, she would sit in between takes and after her turn to speak.

 

Mr. Santiago explained that, in both cases, this was due to his wife’s pinched nerve in her back. The condition is also called nerve compression, which is usually characterized with sharp pain especially during sudden movement.

 

Mr. Santiago insisted that other than her pinched nerve, the senator was doing well.

 

‘Walang maipakita’

 

Meanwhile, during the her speech before the UC students which lasted for about 12 minutes, Mrs. Santiago said some candidates were now out to destroy the reputation of fellow candidates like her because they lacked the credentials and concrete platforms.

 

“Yan ang nakikita natin ngayon sa kampanya e, sinisiraan yung iba dahi sila, walang maipakita,” Mrs. Santiago said.

 

She added that some candidates had even hired propagandists to destroy the reputation the competition. 

 

“Ang hirap kasi, nakapaka rami nilang pera ninakawn [sa gobyerno]. Ngayon, gagamitin nila yan pambili ng mga pupuri ng husto sa kanila at siraan ng siraan ang mga walang pera. Kaya nila makapag bayad ng mga black propagandist,” Mrs. Santiago said.

 

 “Ginagamit nila ang pera nila para siraan nang siraan yung may kredibilidad na nag puyat, at nag hirap sa pag aaral nung college. Wala silang academic execellence. Hindi ba sa school ang tinitingala natin ay yung mga top of the class, yung mga may honor at hindi yung nangongopya lang sa katabi niya?” she added.

 

Mrs. Santiago immediately left the venue after her speech, refusing to grant interviews.

 

“Kasi wala nang time e. Babalik na kami ng Manila. She is catching our flight,” Mr. Santiago explained. — DVM, GMA News