Two press reports of President Arroyo having undergone removal and replacement of breast silicone implants, undergoing a mamoplasty and the removal of a cyst in the groin area, along with the report of her suffering dysfunctional bleeding, while she was at the Asian Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinglupa, with claims of having chosen a self-imposed quarantine, pressured Malacañang into admitting that she underwent a gynecological checkup and biopsy at the Asian Hospital.
According to reports, apart
from the mammoplastic repair of leaking breast implants and the removal of a cyst from her groin, she also had extra hair lasered off from the groin area and armpits.
It has been reported that Mrs. Arroyo has been suffering from dysfunctional bleeding, likely due to polyps or myoma in the uterus.
Earlier, presidential spokesmen brushed these reports as ridiculous, insisting that Mrs. Arroyo went to hospital purely for her self-imposd quarantine after arrival from her Latin American trip.
Malacaíang is known not to admit the many visits of Mrs. Arroyo to hospitals that are more than just the usual check-ups.
Last year, the Tribune, quoting sources from the hospital, reported that she had a D and C. This report was denied by the Palace, even when this was true.
Tribune also checked with its sources in Asian hospital, who confirmed that indeed, Mrs. Arroyo did undergo a mamoplasty.
Malacañang yesterday said the result of the breast check up of Mrs. Arroyo was negative.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the earlier reports claiming that Mrs. Arroyo underwent breast implant was "absurd."
He said that she was admitted to the hospital as part of quarantine procedure on A iNi.
President Arroyo completed a 13-day official visits to Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong from June 17 to June 29. Although the self-quarantine procedure as admitted by the President is not mandatory, this was observed by Mrs. Arroyo to set an example to the people as well as to take this opportunity for her regular medical check-up, so her spokesmen claimed.
"I stand by my earlier report. She is taking the opportunity to undergo regular check up. All results are positive," which means the President is in top shape and in very good spirits, Remonde claimed.
"The President had been diagnosed with something in her groin and breast and that is why she was given a biopsy test and the result from that was negative from her groin and breast and you can refer to the Asian Medical Center on this particular check up, to the one attending to her," he said.
Remonde also reported that the hospital did not charge her.
"As I promised, I will give a medical bulletin if something will turn out negative. I report with all candor that the President is in top shape and she is in very good spirits," Remonde said.
"There is no harm done to the President. She has great forbearance on this, the important that she is top shape, good health," Remonde said noting that the Palace was no longer we surprised about the reports in the media, accepting this as part of the political culture.
"The President will be all over the place in the next few days," he assured.
A medical document signed by Dr. Lopez was read out by Remonde during a press conference this afternoon and stated that Mrs. Arroyo went through with her gynecological check-up in June. The letter also said that she was given a finding of being "normal and with clean bill of health."
Remonde said that the President is in top shape. "Her medical checkup is a private matter. Mrs. Arroyo had a normal reaction upon learning of the news this morning," he added, referring to rumors that the President had some silicone removed from her body.
"It’s normal for someone over 40 years old to feel something and go to the doctor for checkup. As what they say, life begins at 40," Remonde said of President Arroyo, who is 62 years old.
"The President also underwent the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) while at Asian Hospital," Remonde said.
Medical experts said that a biopsy is a medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues for examination. It is the removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease.
The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy.
Makati Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay earlier said Malacañang should come clean about the state of Mrs. Arroyo’s health, following reports that she underwent medical procedures at the Asian Hospital, contrary to Palace claims that she went on a self-quarantine following her trips abroad.
"My concern is whether her medical condition is affecting her judgment and fitness to govern," Binay said.
"As we enter the crucial months leading to the elections, and with all these talks of destabilization and no election, we cannot leave the big decisions to someone who may not be physically well," he added.
The opposition leader said if such a report was true, "then once again, the Palace has been caught lying to the people."
He also said since it is the taxpayers who paid for Mrs. Arroyo’s hospital stay. Riza Recio and PNA
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