Even after Mariel Rodriguez took down her post about having a glutathione drip session inside the office of her husband, Senator Robin Padilla, the photo she shared continues to circulate online.

“Drip anywhere is our motto, hehehe,” Mariel said in her now-deleted post, explaining that she actually had an appointment at a beauty clinic but she was already late for it. “I never miss a drip because it really helps in so many ways.” The procedure works by intravenously administering glutathione, an antioxidant, into the body.

The senator immediately came to his wife’s defense. “Nakakatawa naman po ang political isyu na yan… Kung may nakita po silang masama sa larawan na yan, paumanhin po (That political issue is funny. If they saw something wrong in the photo, my apologies),” Padilla said, according to a post on X by ABS-CBN News reporter Sherrie Anne Torres.

He pointed out, though, “My wife loves to promote good looks and good health.”

Possible Senate probe?

Senator Nancy Binay, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, eyes a possible investigation as Mariel’s action is deemed as bothersome and it also involves health and safety, plus it was done inside the Senate premises.

“I’m not sure if the Ethics Committee can extend its jurisdiction dito sa nangyaring insidente (in the said incident) since hindi naman (not a) 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 never miss a drip because it really helps in so many ways.’

Last Wednesday, 21 February, the Department of Health warned the public that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of intravenous glutathione.

“I’m telling you from the Department of Health. It is not safe. The FDA has not registered it for skin whitening. If there’s someone using it, it is illegal,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.