PHILIPPINES NEWS SERVICE — PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo checked in at the Asian Hospital for her self-imposed quarantine and while in the hospital had a biopsy to check a mass which was found to be benign, Malacanang said yesterday.
Reports saying she had leaking breast implants repaired was “totally absurd,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said at his regular press briefing yesterday. He said the President took advantage of her hospital stay to undergo routine gynecological examination.
“I stand by our statement the President checked in as part of the quarantine,” Remonde said.
Press reports had said the President underwent mammoplasty to fix a breast implant done in the 80s and to remove a growth in her groin.
The Palace spokesman said the President was annoyed over such malicious reports but is “no longer surprised” that some quarters are using the issue to criticize her. He said Mrs. Arroyo is aware that everything will be used against her at this time of the political season.
Quoting a report of the attending gynecologist Dr. Ma. Teresa Lopez, Remonde said a biopsy of the breast and groin area of Mrs. Arroyo was done and yielded negative result. He said the biopsy was recommended to check on the mass which was detected in a magnetic resonance imaging test.
He added it is normal for these symptoms to appear especially in women as they age. “May kasabihang life begins at 40…but she was given a clean bill of health. The test results are all negative,” he said.
Remonde however could not give a categorical answer when asked if the President did have breast implants, saying it is a private matter.
“Rep ipsa loquitur… tingnan nyo na lang ang presidente,” he said.