Bongbong defends Miriam’s refusal to release med records

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday defended presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Santiago’s decision to not release her medical records.

Marcos said the public should respect the right to privacy of Santiago.

“For me, if she said she can campaign and that she is already healed, of course, I will believe Senator Miriam,” Marcos said.

The senator made the statement following University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies Director Sylvia Estrada-Claudio’s request asking Santiago to release her medical records proving her competency for the presidency. However, Santiago refused to take the challenge citing her right to privacy.

On Tuesday, Santiago defended herself from accusations that she faked her ailment to gain sympathy from the public.

Santiago also took offense at insinuations that she has been faking her ailment to boost her political campaign. She said she has no record of truancy.

In June 2014, Santiago revealed that she had lung cancer which she claimed to have regressed five months later.

Last July, she expressed her intent to seek the presidency and announced that she has beaten her cancer. She repeated her statement before filing her certificate of candidacy for president last week.

Santiago will run for president in 2016 under her own People’s Reform Party. She said Marcos, a Nacionalista Party member, is her chosen running mate.