Miriam now in ICU due to complications

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is now confined at the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center after being rushed to the hospital on Monday due to complications, a statement from her office quoting her husband said.

Santiago, who has stage 4 lung cancer, “suffered complications” and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, according to her husband Narciso Santiago.

The 70-year-old senator was transferred from her private room to the ICU on Tuesday night.

Her husband said the senator was “bearing well with her trademark sense of humor.”

He also said that visitors were not allowed and that gifts would not be accepted, such as flowers and other blooms.

Thankful for prayers

The statement also quoted Santiago herself as thanking “all her family, friends, supporters, fans, and others who helped pray for her recovery and sent their well-wishes on Facebook.”

It was almost two years ago when Santiago announced on July 2, 2014, that she had lung cancer. Last year,  she said she had beaten cancer after joining a clinical trial for a new anticancer treatment drug and announced she was eyeing the 2016 presidency. She did run for president but lost on May 9 to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Just last month, the senator, whose term ends on June 30, wrote Senate President Franklin Drilon to inform the chamber that she would continue with her medical leave as she had developed anorexia or inability to eat due to her medications.