Leaking Breast Implants Leaked to the Press!

I recently read an interesting blog on Allure.com: A major news story at the moment in the Philippines is that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was hospitalized for problems with her breast implants, and possibly tissue complications such as a breast abscess. The story is old news that only came to light because her 80's-era implants were apparently leaking. The story got even more complicated when her spokespeople denied and then confirmed the rumors, which led others to begin questioning whether laws guaranteeing transparency in matters of the president's health should make Arroyo's boob job (and any other plastic surgeries) public knowledge.

Allure states, "Now, we get how gross it must be for any woman to have her chest discussed on the nightly news. But honestly, people, we've seen this guessing game with a zillion celebrities, and we really have to ask: when someone has a boob job, an eye tuck, or any other kind of surgery, whatever the situation that sparked that decision, isn't the whole idea to, duh, change your appearance?"

I see their point that when one enters into a plastic surgery procedure (especially a celebrity), it by definition changes your appearance, and you are likely going to end up with some 'splaining to do given the visibility of the results. On the other hand, I hope that she recovers hastily as I feel sorry for her getting tortured by the press for what truly is a private matter. The life span of breast implants is likely 10 or 15 years, and her 20 year old implants, likely silicone gel, were probably ready for a change. In America we have federal laws that prohibit health care professionals, hospitals and third parties like insurance companies from disclosing patients' private health information. These laws are known as HIPAA regulations, and while not bulletproof (especially when celebrities are involved), do really help to protect the privacy of patients.

The best reporting of the day came from an article on the topic in the Taipei Times in which the journalist made good use of the work leak: “ 'Just look, if the president had a breast implant,” he said. “It’s obvious if women have had breast implants. The sexy actresses with boobs, they’re the ones who underwent breast implants. We can’t say the same thing of the president.' But as more details about her breast implants leaked to the media, Remonde changed his tune and admitted Arroyo had “something” placed in her breast in the 1980s."

No pun intended, but this brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "leaking a story" to the press! As one Senator described politics in the Philippines, “We have fake elections, we have a fake president, now we have fake boobs,” he said. “It’s fake all over.” Good luck, President Gloria!