MANILA -- Areas of mass found in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's groin and breast are benign and will not require surgery, her press secretary said Friday.

Arroyo checked into Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa on Tuesday saying she was feeling fine but that she was placing herself under voluntary quarantine after a 13-day trip to countries affected by influenza A (H1N1) virus.

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She returned to Malacañang Thursday "with a clean bill of health" following "certain checkups while on quarantine," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Friday morning.

As rumors swirled that there could be more to Arroyo's hospitalization, Remonde said doctors had performed biopsies on "a certain mass" found in Arroyo's breast and groin that had shown up in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan.

Biopsy is the removal and examination of a sample of tissue from a living body for diagnostic purposes.

"The result of the biopsy taken from her breast and her groin were all negative," he said. He did not specify which breast.

Remonde said the President does not need to undergo surgery to have the mass removed since “the biopsy showed negative, they’re benign and lumps are not lumps that you can see.”

Arroyo's gynecologist, Maria Teresa Tangkeko-Lopez, issued a statement through Remonde, saying the mass had been discovered during the President's routine annual gynecological checkup last month.

"Biopsies were done which turned out normal, and she was discharged with a clean bill of health," she said.

"The President is indeed in top shape," Remonde said. "I was just with her a few minutes ago, and she is in very good spirit."

Breast implant

Remonde branded as absurd reports that Arroyo underwent breast implant during her voluntary quarantine.

He said the important thing is that Arroyo is in the pink of health and would eventually be seen making her regular visits around the country soon, proving that she is all right.

The press secretary said it was unfortunate that some people dug up the medical records of the President and made some spin on it, adding that they even expect some groups to use the incident to further their own interests.

The official said one possible scenario is that some groups would make a big deal out of the expenses that Arroyo may have incurred while undergoing test and confinement.

He clarified that there was no expense to pay after the Asian Hospital shouldered all the costs as a form of courtesy to the President.

This courtesy, Remonde said, is also extended by St. Luke’s Medical Center and other hospitals whether private or public to the President and the member of her official family.

Remonde admitted that Arroyo was irked that some people are exaggerating about her health condition.

“That is normal human reaction when you are subjected to an exaggerated report regarding your health,” he said.

He assured that they would still be transparent about the President’s health, adding that they have been trying to do just that and make public any information they think are necessary. (AP/JMR/Sunnex)