Noli clueless on GMA's medical condition

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Noli de Castro was kept in the dark regarding President Arroyo’s medical condition.

According to De Castro, he was not informed that Mrs. Arroyo would undergo medical procedures at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City after returning from a two-week foreign trip.

“Wala (Nothing). I heard and read about it in the newspapers,” De Castro said, referring to the column of Jarius Bondoc in The STAR.

De Castro said he was not given any information or update on the President’s health and the medical procedure she underwent.

He said he had seen Mrs. Arroyo only during the Cabinet meeting in Malacañang last Tuesday after she returned from her foreign trips last week.

De Castro noted the President even visited several areas in the country following her self-imposed quarantine.

Bondoc wrote in his column that the post-travel self-quarantine for Influenza A(H1N1) was a handy cover for medical procedures she underwent.

The President has been suffering dysfunctional bleeding, likely due to polyps or myoma in the uterus. She had first checked into the hospital one dawn in 2008 for D&C (dilation and curettage) and left at dusk.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde admitted on Friday that Mrs. Arroyo had breast augmentation 20 years ago but denied reports that the implants were leaking.

Remonde earlier downplayed rumors that Mrs. Arroyo had checked in at the Asian Hospital to have her breast silicone implants removed and replaced.

He said the President was declared in good health after biopsies were conducted on lumps found in her breast and groin.

The President checked in at the Asian Hospital last week after returning from two weeks of travel to Japan, Colombia, Brazil and Hong Kong.

Palace officials said Mrs. Arroyo volunteered to self-quarantine and follow the guidelines set by the Department of Health after her South America swing.

Remonde said the President had undergone a medical check-up before her trip last month but “some test results needed follow-up,” including the biopsies.