Santiago to end term on medical leave

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

Outgoing Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has informed the Senate that she will continue on medical leave due to cancer, adding that she is now also suffering from anorexia, making her “physically and mentally” weak.

Santiago disclosed her health conditions in her letter to Senate President Franklin Drilon this Tuesday.

“This signifies that I shall continue on medical leave for cancer,” she wrote.

“One of the medications has produced a side effect of anorexia (inability to eat), which renders me physically and mentally weak.”

“In any event, my staff and I shall be ready to vacate our offices by 30 June 2016. Thank you,” Santiago added.

Santiago ran but lost in the May 9 presidential race.

She remains a senator, however, until her term expires on June 30.

The senator has been on medical leave even before she announced on July 2, 2014 that she has been suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer.

READ: Miriam Santiago: ‘I got lung cancer’

Despite her condition, the senator ran for president but lost to presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. CDG/rga