ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Ilonggos shocked by the announcement of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago that she has lung cancer have offered prayers and their support to the Ilonggo legislator.
“I was shocked and felt bad on hearing the news,” said philanthropist Ruth Tirol-Jarantilla.
Jarantilla, who was among those who actively campaigned for Santiago in the 1992 presidential elections, said she has been praying for Santiago’s recovery.
“She is an asset not only of Ilonggos but of the Filipino people as a fiscalizer,” Jarantilla told the INQUIRER.
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Santiago, standard bearer of the People’s Reform Party lost by a slim margin to former president Fidel Ramos. Santiago claimed she was cheated in the elections and filed an election protest but this was dismissed.
Santiago’s supporters also took to social media to express shock over her announcement on Wednesday that she had Stage 4 cancer.
“You have our prayers,” Marilou Javier Espinosa said in a post on the Facebook page of Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo.
Mark Anthony Encio posted a sad emoticon while Shasha Sonillo said: “Get well soon.”
“Get well, idol Miriam,” said Jennie Bingkie Jallorina in her post.
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