Mariel sorry over ‘Vitamin C’ drip in Robin Padilla's office

After receiving flak on social media, actress-host Mariel Rodriguez on Sunday apologized to the Senate and the public for receiving a Vitamin C drip in the office of her husband, Senator Robin Padilla.

In a statement posted by Padilla on Facebook, Rodriguez clarified that she received a Vitamin C drip and not a glutathione drip as earlier reported when she was at the Senate to visit her husband.

“Upang linawin, nakatanggap ako ng Vitamin C Drip, hindi Glutathione, sa ilalim ng medikal na pangangasiwa ng isang propesyonal na nars,” she said.

(To clarify, I received a Vitamin C Drip, not Glutathione, under the medical supervision of a professional nurse.)

Rodriguez said she had the infusion to provide “inspiration” to people that they can prioritize their health by taking vitamins wherever their location.

“Hindi ko kailanman intensyon na siraan o sirain ang integridad at dignidad ng Senado. Nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong paghingi ng tawad sa lahat ng kinauukulan, kasama na ang mga miyembro at kawani ng Senado at ang publiko. Itinataguyod natin ang dignidad at integridad ng Senado,” she added.

(It was never my intention to malign nor undermine the integrity and dignity of the Senate. I want to extend my sincerest apologies to everyone concerned, including the members and staff of the Senate and the public. We uphold the Senate’s dignity and integrity.)

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reiterated that it opposes the use of glutathione, stressing that that there were no published clinical trials that have evaluated the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening, as well as guidelines for appropriate dosing regimens and duration of treatment.

The DOH also said that injectable glutathione is only approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct treatment in cisplatin chemotherapy, and that the FDA has not approved any injectable products for skin lightening.

Even as Rodriguez clarified that she only received Vitamin C drip, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, citing an FDA advisory, warned that it may also cause health risks to recipients.

“Injectable glutathione is sometimes paired with intravenous Vitamin C. Vitamin C injection may form kidney stones if the urine is acidic. Large doses of Vitamin C have resulted in hemodialysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency,” the Health official said.

Senator Nancy Binay on Friday said she was also bothered by the incident, adding that it must be closely looked into “because it involves issues of conduct, integrity, and reputation of the Institution and matters that concern health and safety.”

In a now deleted post, Rodriguez shared the caption: "Drip anywhere is our motto! Hehehe. I had an appointment with @dripinluxeph but I was going to be late so I had it done in my husband’s office hehe. I never miss a drip because it really helps in soooo many ways. Collagen production, whitening, energy, metabolism, immunity, and sooo much more!!! So convenient and really effective.”—Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News