Binay: No lupus, no dialysis

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay denied on Friday that he has lupus or that he is undergoing dialysis.

In a speech delivered before members of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) during the organization’s 106th convention and scientific meetings, Binay even asked PMA members to conduct medical examinations on him.

“Perhaps rumors and speculations have already reached all of you and for some, it is a conclusive statement that I am ill. They claimed that I have almost all ailments,” Binay said.

He said those who are spreading such rumors are also doctors.

“I am just laughing about it. How can they say that I have an ailment when there is a doctor who looks after me in our house every day and she is no other than my wife, Dr. Ellen Binay. That is why tonight, after my speech, I am inviting you to examine me personally so that you will be the one to say if I really have lupus, if I am undergoing dialysis or if I really have other ailments as they claim,” Binay said.

At the same time, the Vice President also challenged the members of the PMA to join him in his daily walking exercise.

“If you have time, please join me in my walking exercise which I do every day. My personal goal is 10,000 steps a day, every day. But I must admit that I often exceed my personal goal by a few more thousand steps. You are free to join me, or if you have a walking club composed of doctors, I do hope you will invite me to join you in your activities,” Binay said.

He said he is much aware of the important role that doctors play in society.

“My better half, Ellen, took the Hippocratic Oath as all of you did. Having been my companion and best friend for 40 years, Ellen has given me an insight on how physicians and specialists silently change the course of lives. Each one of you attends to our fellow Filipinos who suffer sickness or ailment and all of you apply the fullest extent of your faculties to grant them relief,” Binay told the PMA members.