Cancer survivors’ group backs Miriam’s presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines - A group of cancer survivors yesterday expressed full support for Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s presidential bid.

New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) said Santiago should not be prevented from running in the May 2016 presidential elections despite being a cancer survivor.

“Being a cancer survivor does not take away Santiago’s right to seek the highest post in the land,” said NVAP president Emer Rojas, a laryngeal cancer survivor.

Rojas said cancer patients and survivors should not be discriminated against. While health is a primary concern, he said “as long as a cancer survivor manifests good health that is free from any illness, they are entitled to their right to suffrage on equal basis as with others.”

The statement of support was issued amid doubts over Santiago’s ability to mount a campaign and possibly lead the country after suffering from lung cancer.   

University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies director Sylvia Estrada-Claudio earlier asked Santiago to make public her medical records.

Claudio explained voters deserve to know Santiago’s true state of health even as the senator declared that she is free from cancer.

Santiago rejected the call and insisted that she has the right to privacy of her medical records.

Rojas said there is no reason to doubt Santiago’s claims since medical advancement makes some cancers curable.

“Cancer is no longer a dreaded disease. It should not be feared as it is now curable under the right conditions, such as early detection and proper medical care,” he added.

He also urged the public, especially health advocates, to support Santiago’s candidacy since she could be the best presidential aspirant with a clear program on public health. As a lawmaker, Santiago authored health-related measures, he said.

“She may be an ideal bet for the presidency since she understands how hard it is to be sick. She could very well be a very good advocate of good health,” he said.

Miriam emerging as preferred candidate of youth

Despite doubts on her state of health, Santiago has emerged as the preferred presidential candidate of young voters in an ongoing survey of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in its official Facebook account.

As of yesterday, Santiago got 71.3 percent of 80,000 votes.

In far second is Sen. Grace Poe with 12.4 percent of the total votes, followed by former interior secretary Mar Roxas with 11.9 percent, and Vice President Jejomar Binay with 3.2 percent.

“The youth have always been my formidable allies. When I first ran for president in 1992, our campaign was fuelled by the hopes and dreams of young Filipinos who wanted reform. This survey shows that I can replicate that in 2016,” Santiago said.

The survey was launched on Oct. 19, three days after the deadline for candidates to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs).

Santiago confirmed her presidential bid on Oct. 13, two days into the week-long filing of COCs. She was also the last to file a COC among the presidential frontrunners.

“The third time is always the charm,” said the senator, who is again running under her People’s Reform Party.

“The Internet has radically revolutionized the way young people think and how they affect their own families – their parents, their siblings, and the people who live with them.

“In 1992, it was the young people who taught the old people, ‘Vote for Miriam because she’s the voice of the new.’ I hope this voice will be resurrected, and in fact will prevail in this elections,” she added.

Santiago is expected to attend tonight a meet-and-greet event at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.