‘Galactic’ blood pressure keeps Miriam away from Corona trial

MANILA, Philippines – After about two weeks of absence, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago will again miss the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. The culprit? Her “galactic” blood pressure.

Santiago gave an update on her condition through a letter to the media released just minutes before Day 12 of the Corona trial begins. 

“Over the weekend, I was normal at 120/80. This morning Monday, my blood pressure was galactic at 140/100. At that rate, if I attend the impeachment hearings, I will soon be pushing daisies at a memorial park near you.”

Santiago already missed the first and third weeks of the trial, and was only able to attend the second week because of hypertension. Her blood pressure shot up after she berated private prosecutor Arthur Lim on the Rules of Court. Last week, she said personal attacks against her aggravated her medical condition. 

Santiago, however, said she is doing her best to recover. For now, she is open to discussing the trial through phone interviews for as long as these are not about the merits of the case. 

“Dear Senate media: I miss our daily banter and am desperately trying to get well. I also miss the impeachment trial punctuated by certain personalities who have all the charm of show window mannequins.” 

“I refuse to succumb to illness because I don’t want to give my political enemies the pleasure of dancing on my grave, chortling like contented snakes.” 

Santiago added that ironically, she has accepted a speaking engagement on Wednesday, January 8, at the annual convention of the Philippine Society of Hypertension, and the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society. 

“If I can attend, I shall speak, not as an authority on medicine, but as a victim of old age,” she said. “Call me the walking wounded. I would really like to go because I’m already prepared with my pick-up lines!” – Rappler.com