Prosecutor raises Miriam's blood pressure

MANILA, Philippines - After losing her cool and scolding a private prosecutor on the seventh day of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was advised by doctors yesterday to go home and rest as her blood pressure shot up to 180/90.

Tom Tolibas, Santiago’s media officer, said his boss requested to see the Senate doctor after she stood for 30 minutes before the court and questioned private prosecutor Arthur Lim on Article 2 of the impeachment complaint.

Dr. Renato Sison Jr. was sent to the senators’ lounge to check on Santiago’s condition.

She was then advised to go home and rest.

Last Monday, Santiago felt dizzy as she was giving media interviews and took a spill.

“I have this habit of kissing floors,” Santiago joked.

She went on medical leave several times last year for hypertension and hyperthyroidism. She was also unable to attend last week’s impeachment proceedings due to hypertension.

Yesterday, she cut off Lim several times during her questioning.