Miriam to run for president

Photo from Santiago fanpage

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said Tuesday she will file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2016 presidential race.

Santiago, who said she has "conquered" her stage 4 lung cancer, made the announcement during a book-signing for her book "Stupid is Forevermore." This was also her first public appearance since March.

The feisty Santiago claimed that if and when she becomes president, the Philippines "will be much better."

"If I become president sometime in the very near future," Santiago said, drawing applause from the audience, "this country will be much better than it was before."

"Today, this country suffers from the malaise of plunder. Plunder is when you look at one person and that other person looks at you and you feel like eating each other up. It's like cancer," she added.

Pressed by reporters if she will file her COC this week, Santiago said: "Yes."

"Judging by the response of the crowd today, I probably will do that because it seems to me that I will disappoint a lot of people," she said. "Possibly Friday."

"I will run because I've already gotten over my bout of cancer and there's nothing left to do. I can apply for a job abroad like the one I lost because of my cancer, but I think since I have served the government from the very beginning, I will end my career here."

Santiago joins other presidential hopefuls Vice-President Jejomar Binay, former DILG chief Mar Roxas, Sen. Grace Poe, among others.

Santiago took a stab at the presidency in 1992 but lost to Fidel Ramos.

Last week, Santiago hinted at a possible presidential run after posting a photo on her official Facebook account bearing the message: ''I'm not going to be coy. Society leaders have urged me to seek the presidency. I can rise to the occasion."

Santiago earlier said she is considering running for president after saying that the growth in her lung ''has been arrested."

Santiago on several occasions hinted that she is considering running for president.

In August last year, she said she may run for president if she recovers from her lung cancer. She, however, said money for a possible campaign will be a concern.

In November of the same year, Santiago said should she become the country's president. ''I intend to appoint a cabinet, half of whom shall be from the youth sector, and half from senior citizens." -- With a report by Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News