Filipino politician's influencer wife sparks huge storm after posting picture of herself hooked up to controversial skin-whitening drip in his office and boasting of its benefits

The wife of a Filipino senator has sparked a public backlash after posting images of herself hooked up to a controversial intravenous skin-whitening drug in her husband's office.

Mariel Padilla, an influencer and wife of politician Robin Padilla, posted a video on social media of her taking the drug, called Glutathione, which is yet to be approved by the FDA.

Clearly a big advocate for the drug, which aims to make people look more Caucasian, she wrote: 'Drip anywhere, because we need to be consistent with the vitamins we put in our bodies and Drip in Luxe really helped me with so many things, so I don't hurt anymore, and I just feel so much better.

Explaining why she was taking the drug in the office, which according to the country's health secretary can 'kill you', Padilla said: 'Drip anywhere is our motto, hehehe.

All hooked up - Mariel Padilla films herself taking the skin whitening drug in the Senate office

The Senator's wife seemed happy with herself as she recorded taking the unapproved drug

'I had an appointment with Drip in Luxe, but I was going to be late so I had it done in my husband's office. I never miss a drip because it really helps in soooo many ways.

She explained that its benefits include collagen production, whitening, energy, metabolism, immunity, and so much more, which is why she regards it as 'so convenient and really effective.'

The post drew criticism from medical professionals and politicians. Glutathione is not licensed as a beauty product and doctors warn that it can have harmful effects.

Last month a 39-yearold woman in Manila died after being hooked up to a drip that contained glutathione and stem cells.

Teodoro Herbosa, the health secretary, said: '(It) will whiten your skin and make you look really Caucasian, but it can damage your kidneys and kill you.'

Both Mariel and Robin Padilla apologised. 

Now, despite the video and the posts, Mariel is insisting that the drip contained only vitamins.

Several people who have been angered by the influencers, believing it was disrespectful, antics took to X to criticise her. 

Mariel is an influencer and an actress as well as being the wife of Senator Robin Padilla

Both Mariel and Robin Padilla apologised after the backlash caused from the drug-taking

One wrote: 'Oh, my goodness, Mariel. You're still in the Senate, you're still in the Senate. That's the Senate for the law! That's not a beauty salon!'

Another wrote: 'No decency in the senate. Is this the type of imagery you want to convey to the Filipino public, Senate of the Philippines?' 

And another wrote: 'Terrible! There's a right place for that, 'can't you postpone?'