MANILA, Philippines — No need for the National Bureau of Investigation to step in.

This was the reaction of former President Joseph Estrada to a report that the bureau would investigate who had leaked the story of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s breast implants to the media.

“I cannot understand why the NBI is using its resources looking for the doctors who talked about the medical attention given to you know who, when there are so many cases of killings, incidences of ambush assassinations, bombings and other heinous crimes that need to be investigated,” Estrada told members of the Manila Medical Society who invited him as guest speaker for its 107th foundation anniversary on Thursday.

“Ang masasabi ko lang, NBI, huwag naman ninyong dibdibin ang kasong ito,” he added. (All I can say to the NBI is not to take this seriously)

Quarantine for life

“I hope no doctor in this assembly is under investigation by the NBI for being talkative and revealing the truth about a very important patient,” added Estrada, whose remarks elicited laughter from the crowd composed of doctors and other medical practitioners. “If you are among those identified as the one who talked about implants, I hope you do not get quarantined for life.”

Sought for comment, NBI spokesperson Allan Contado said the bureau was merely acting on the request of Asian Hospital to determine the possible administrative liability of any of its employees for the leakage.

During his term as president, he said the state of his health was never made a secret because national security was at stake.

While claiming that the issue was a personal matter, Estrada stressed that the president’s health was a public concern.

“Why are they so secretive about it? The people have the right to know,” he told reporters later.” When you’re a public official, you lose your privacy. You’re public property.”

Palace spokesmen initially denied the report but later admitted that the President had breast implants done in the ’80s.

Cosmetic surgeon Raul Guanzon confirmed Wednesday that Ms Arroyo underwent an excision biopsy at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City last week. He, however, declined to comment when asked about the reported breast implants.

Joey’s defense

One of her most vocal critics, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, said the report was a “non-issue.”

“Whether she had implants or not is her business and should not even be a topic of discussion,” the ZTE-NBN whistle-blower said in a statement

De Venecia said the president’s general state of health was the issue, not the breast implants. “The public has a right to know about her health,” he stressed. “She is, after all, the country’s chief executive.”

The businessman said Ms Arroyo’s friends and relatives should “ignore the snide and unkind remarks” regarding the implants, adding that continuing to make an issue or gaining political points over the implants would do no good for the administration, the opposition and the people.

“I never had any personal animosity towards Mrs. Arroyo,” said De Venecia. “If she is not well, I hope she gets better.”