Santiago in ICU likely due to lung cancer complications

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Makati Medical Center on Monday, likely due to complications from her advanced stage of lung cancer.

A statement from her public affairs team said on Wednesday that Santiago was rushed to the hospital by ambulance last Monday.

Quoting details from her husband Narciso “Jun” Santiago,” the senator was transferred from her private room at the Makati Medical Center to the ICU on Tuesday night.

Jun said that Miriam is doing well with her “trademark sense of humor.”

READ: Santiago to end term on medical leave

He also advised the public that visitors are not allowed. Gifts, such as flowers and other blooms, won’t be accepted.

The senator also extended her gratitude to her family, friends, supporters, fans and others who helped her pray for her recovery.

Santiago, who lost her third presidential bid for the 2016 elections, extended her medical leave due to anorexia, a side effect of one of her anti-cancer treatments.

The senator was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2014. In the campaign trail, she had a few sorties and even skipped the second leg of the Commission on Elections presidential debate. She also skipped a few weeks of campaigning to try an anti-cancer pill. CDG

READ: ‘I’ve never been false to the Filipino people,’ says Miriam on health