Miriam finds political life ‘soul-devastating’

Presidential bet Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is under treatment for lung cancer and pneumonia, looked back on her career as messages of sympathy from her supporters poured in.

“I was buoyed by the Facebook messages. I fully intend to recover, and I am rethinking the political life. It is very soul-devastating,” the senator dictated to her secretary on Friday.

READ: Santiago in ICU likely due to lung cancer complications

Santiago was rushed to the Makati Medical Center last Monday due to complications of her advanced stage of lung cancer. On Tuesday, she was brought to the intensive care unit but was moved to a private room on Thursday.

READ: Miriam Santiago out of ICU, in stable condition

Visitors and gifts were not encouraged. Instead, supporters were advised to take their messages of sympathy to social media, where she remains popular.

Santiago ran for the third time as president in the 2016 national elections but lost to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

She entered politics in 1988, when President Corazon Aquino appointed her as commissioner of immigration and deportation and later as secretary of agrarian reform.

She ran for president in 1992 and 1998 but also lost. She is now on her third term as senator which will end on June 30. RAM