By Jefferson Antiporda /Manila Times


To squelch rumours that he has lupus, Vice President Jejomar Binay will undergo medical examination by a team of physicians assembled by the Philippine Medical Association.
Binay hopes the result of the tests would stop reports that he is afflicted with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), the same disease that afflicted former president Ferdinand Marcos. With SLE, the immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue leading to inflammation, swelling and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs
“The PMA is gathering a team of specialists that will examine him at the most appropriate time so that the public will know the real state of health of our Vice President,” said Dr Leo Olarte, PMA president and spokesman of the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM).
“I’m sure the rumours and conclusions have reached you about my health. They say I have a lot of diseases. It just makes me laugh because a lot of the rumours come from doctors,” the Vice President earlier said.
Observers believe that rumours about Binay’s health condition had something to do with his plan to run for president in 2016.
Binay,70, was treated for kidney stones in the ’90s when he was mayor of Makati City. He claims to be in perfect health.