Miriam hits corrupt gov't officials

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Monday hit corrupt government officials and vowed to end corruption during a "meet and greet" with her supporters at the University of the Philippines Bahay ng Alumni in Diliman, Quezon City.

"Ang problema sa bansa nating ito.... ang nagsasalita 'yon din ang magnanakaw," Santiago said during her speech.

The presidential aspirant added that those who "steal" the government's funds use it for vote buying during election season.

"This must stop!" Santiago said on the issue of corruption the country faces.

Santiago stressed that she has conquered her stage-four lung cancer and decided to seek the presidency one more time.

"I have passed through the hardest of physical trepidations and hardship. Cancer is not an easy disease and still thereafter, I have decided after consultation with my panel of doctors from St. Luke's Hospital that it would be up to me to decide," the senator said.

Despite the call of some groups for Santiago to release her medical records, Santiago maintained her right to privacy. Questions have been raised regarding her true state of health.

READ: Miriam won’t release medical records to public | Bongbong defends Miriam’s refusal to release med records

The senator announced her presidential bid during the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections.

She earlier confirmed that Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will be her running mate in the 2016 elections.