Binay: Mariel Padilla’s IV drip involves Senate’s integrity, safety concerns

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay said on Friday that Mariel Padilla’s use of her husband Senator Robin Padilla’s office for a glutathione drip session involved issues of the Senate’s reputation as well as health and safety.

According to Binay, she said that the ethics committee of the Senate may not have jurisdiction over the incident as Mariel Padilla was not a member of the Senate, but they will still “closely look into it.”

READ: Mariel Padilla receives backlash for doing ‘IV drip’ in Senate office

“I’m not sure if the ethics committee can extend its jurisdiction dito sa nangyaring insidente since hindi naman member ng Senado si Ms. Mariel. But we also need to closely look into it because it involves issues of conduct, integrity, and reputation of the Institution, and matters that concern health and safety,” Binay said.

(I’m not sure if the ethics committee can extend its jurisdiction in the incident since Ms. Mariel is not a member of the Senate. But we also need to closely look into it because it involves issues of conduct, integrity, and reputation of the Institution, and matters that concern health and safety.)

Mariel Padilla posing as she received her dose of “IV drip” at the Senate office with Sen. Robin Padilla sitting in the background | Image: Instagram/@marieltpadilla

Binay also expressed concern over the procedure itself, as the Department of Health (DOH) has raised flags about the intravenous (IV) procedure, which according to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa may cause damage to internal organs if used improperly. The procedure is being used by some people who want to attain a whiter skin complexion, along with some other alleged therapeutic effects.

“[A]nd to make it more complicated, ‘yung gluta drip ay ni-declare na mismo ng DOH na unsafe, banned ng FDA […],” she added.

(And to make it more complicated, the gluta drip was declared by the DOH to be unsafe, banned by the Food and Drug Administration.)

READ: DOH warns against use of intravenous glutathione

The senator concluded that public figures should be careful of the things that they promote, especially if the products are harmful.

“As public figures, sana aware din tayo sa responsabilidad natin sa publiko. We might be promoting something na ipinagbabawal at iligal, at akala ng mga tao eh okay lang. Isipin din natin may kasamang kapanagutan ang pagiging artista, lalo na kung senador ang asawa mo,” Binay concluded.

(As public figures, we should be aware of our responsibilities to the public. We might be promoting something that is banned and illegal, and people might think that it’s ok. Let us think that being a celebrity has its consequences, especially if your spouse is a senator.)

READ: Robin Padilla brushes aside gluta drip issue made vs wife Mariel