The Implications of a Celebrity using the Senate Office as a Beauty Suite: Mariel Padilla sparks outrage with her skin-whitening IV drip

Mariel Padilla, a Filipino actress and TV host, has caused a public uproar after she posted a video of herself getting a skin-whitening IV drip in the office of her husband, Senator Robin Padilla. The video, which has since been deleted, showed Mariel sitting on a couch with an IV bag hanging above her, while her husband sat at his desk in the background. 

Mariel said that she was invited by her husband to try the procedure, which was provided by a cosmetic clinic, and that she never missed a drip because it helped her in many ways. She also said that she was at the Senate to support the passage of the Eddie Garcia Bill, which aims to protect the welfare of film and TV workers. Here is why her action was inappropriate and irresponsible, and what the consequences were.

What is a skin-whitening IV drip and why is it controversial?

A skin-whitening IV drip is a cosmetic procedure that involves injecting a solution of glutathione, vitamin C, and other substances into the bloodstream. Glutathione is an antioxidant that can reduce the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Vitamin C is a nutrient that can boost the immune system and the effects of glutathione. The procedure claims to lighten the skin tone, improve the complexion, and slow down the aging process.

The procedure is controversial for several reasons, such as:

• It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it could have harmful side effects, such as allergic reactions, infections, or kidney damage.
• It is expensive and unnecessary, and it could be seen as a waste of money and resources, especially during a pandemic and a recession.
• It is influenced by a colonial and racist mentality, that values and glorifies white skin over brown skin, and that undermines and devalues the diversity and beauty of the Filipino people.

Why was Mariel Padilla’s use of the Senate office as a beauty suite wrong and disrespectful?

Mariel Padilla’s use of the Senate office as a beauty suite was wrong and disrespectful for several reasons, such as:

• It violated the code of conduct and ethics of the Senate, which requires the senators and their staff to use the office for official and public purposes, not for personal and private ones.
• It abused the taxpayers’ money, which is used to fund the operations and maintenance of the Senate office, not to pay for cosmetic treatments and services.
• It disrespected the dignity and integrity of the Senate, which is supposed to be a respected and independent institution, not a compromised and subservient one.
• It offended and insulted the sensibilities and dignity of the Filipino people, who deserve better and more from their representatives and celebrities, not worse and less.

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What were the reactions and implications of Mariel Padilla’s action?

Mariel Padilla’s action sparked a backlash from the public and the media, who criticized her for her inappropriate and irresponsible behavior. They accused her of:

• Misusing and disrespecting the Senate office, which is a public and official space, not a personal and private one.
• Wasting and abusing the taxpayers’ money, which is used to fund the operations and maintenance of the Senate office, not to pay for cosmetic treatments and services.
• Endorsing and promoting a questionable and potentially harmful procedure, which is not approved by the FDA, and which could have adverse effects on the health and well-being of the users.
• Reinforcing and perpetuating a colonial and racist mentality, that values and glorifies white skin over brown skin, and that undermines and devalues the diversity and beauty of the Filipino people.

Mariel Padilla’s action also had serious implications and consequences for the political and social situation and development of the Philippines, such as:

• Damaging the credibility and integrity of the Senate, which is supposed to be a respected and independent institution, not a compromised and subservient one.
• Undermining the accountability and responsibility of the senator, who is supposed to be a public servant and a leader, not a patron and a benefactor.
• Violating the code of conduct and ethics of the actress, who is supposed to be a role model and an influencer, not a troublemaker and a manipulator.
• Offending and insulting the sensibilities and dignity of the Filipino people, who deserve better and more from their representatives and celebrities, not worse and less.