MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – A political activist called for a national boycott of all Belo Medical Clinics, Flawless Clinics and Belo beauty products following the much talked about cosmetic procedures done on singing sensation Charice.

Laywer Argee Guevarra said cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo should be denounced for doing thermage and Botox procedures on the 18-year-old star.

“All Filipinos should be outraged at Belo’s medical irresponsibility after she recommended a Thermage to Miss Charice Pempengco: that her naturally-round face is not acceptable to the world. This is the height of Dr. Belo’s blatant insult to the Filipinos who have been struggling to fight discrimination here and abroad,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra described the procedures as “medical quackery at its ugliest” as he argued that there was no need for Charice to undergo thermage and Botox.

He also slammed Belo for purportedly having no sufficient training to perform and administer the procedures.

“Dr. Belo is neither a duly-certified surgeon recognized by the Philippine College of Surgeons nor a duly-certified member of the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Heck, Belo is not even a member of the Philippine Dermatological Society. So, what business is she pontificating on anything that has anything to do with plastic surgery procedures?” Guevarra said.

The lawyer said he is also going to ask Congress to start an inquiry on how non-qualified and non-certified medical practitioners can wantonly practice and promote themselves as cosmetic surgeons.

“This field of medical practice must be appropriately regulated by the State either through remedial legislation. I also call on the Philippine Regulations Commission through the Board of Medicine to strictly enforce its Code of Ethics which Dr. Belo flouts with utmost impunity,” he added.

The botox injection done on Charice was in preparation for her entry to the top-rating American show “Glee.” The news generated strong reactions all over the world. Many said Charice is too young to undergo cosmetic enhancement.

Charice’s camp has clarified that the procedures were done to ease the singer from her muscle pain.

Guevarra is facing libel suits from Belo. It stemmed from his Facebook shoutouts against the celebrity doctor.

'More circumspect'

In a statement, the Belo Medical Group slammed the lawyer for issuing “false and baseless statements.”  It added that Guevarra “should be more circumspect in making such defamatory remarks.”

The Belo Medical Group also denied his accusations against the Belo companies.

“The Belo companies, including their doctors, strictly comply with all government-issued rules and regulations. As an example of the falsity of Atty. Guevarra’s claims, it only shows how ignorant he is to call botox a plastic surgery procedure, when it’s just a non-invasive injection,” it said in a statement.

It also listed Belo’s affiliations with different organizations. It said Belo is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the International Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons and the American Society of Lipoplastic Surgery.
 
“Being a lawyer, Atty. Guevarra should know that if he has legitimate grievances, then he must air them in the appropriate forum rather than in the media,” it said. 

The group said it will file appropriate actions, including civil and criminal charges, against Guevarra “for disseminating these malicious lies against us.”