Santiago diagnosed with a chronic bone marrow disorder, staff says

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Just days after reportedly suffering a mild stroke, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was diagnosed with a chronic bone marrow disorder that results in low blood cell count, her media bureau said Saturday.

According to her staff, Santiago has undergone a series of blood tests at the Philippine Heart Center. The results showed that she has abnormally low red blood cells and low hemoglobin.

Santiago was told by her doctors to shun politics in the following days after she was said to have suffered a stroke.

“I am quarantined from certain toxic people, and I am sequestered from political news. I may as well be shot,” Santiago said in a statement.

“But then again, I will have more time for my four granddaughters, every single one of whom is precocious, beautiful, brilliant, and a potential Olympic champion,” she added.

Santiago was in the middle of exposing the supposed irregularity of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s release of P1.6 million in additional MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) for each senator toward the end of 2012.

All except Santiago and three other senators received the amount.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate committee on accounts, has vouched for the regularity of the disbursement of additional MOOE for the upkeep of the lawmakers’ respective offices.