Celebrity plastic surgeon Eric Yapjuangco, known as Doc Yappy, has met with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as part of its inquiry into the death of reality television personality Ronn Tristan Perez's mother following cosmetic surgery. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau had heard from both Yapjuangco and Perez and would give them an opportunity to submit evidence. No finding of wrongdoing has been reported.

Doc Yappy and the NBI: What the Director Said

Matibag made the remarks on Wednesday night, 28 October 2026, on the Bilyonaryo News Channel programme Agenda. Of Yapjuangco, he said: 'We entertained him.' The complainant, he added, had been heard in the same way. He urged everyone involved to submit evidence so the agency could evaluate it.

Perez had met Matibag in September and subsequently expressed confidence that the bureau would examine the case fairly.

According to reports, Yapjuangco owns The Icon Clinic in San Juan. Perez, a Filipino-American reality television personality, said his 54-year-old mother underwent four procedures on 2 March and died of a pulmonary embolism on 9 March. The inquiry remains ongoing.

The Allegations Raised by Ronn Tristan Perez

Perez, 28, who appeared on The Bachelorette and is based in San Francisco, approached the NBI's Homicide Division on 10 September to request an investigation into his mother's death. He said she had travelled to the Philippines for cosmetic surgery.

He identified the procedures as liposuction, a Brazilian butt lift, a tummy tuck and BodyTite treatment on her arms. Reports said the procedures were performed at a clinic in San Juan City.

Perez said he later saw his mother looking pale on a video call. He then received a call at 3am telling him she had died. Perez said he had requested his mother's medical records but believed he had not received all the documents. He also said the clinic had not contacted him since her death.

He has stressed that he is seeking an independent review of the circumstances rather than accusing the clinic of wrongdoing. He said the clinic has not contacted him since her death.

Perez has stressed that he is not accusing the clinic of wrongdoing but wants an independent review of whether proper procedures were followed. He has also said the clinic has not contacted him since his mother's death.

Read more

What Happens Next in the NBI Inquiry

Perez has described the process of obtaining information about his mother's case as lengthy. He approached the NBI about six months after her death, GMA News reported. He has said he would devote himself to preventing similar deaths if nothing improper is found, but would pursue the case fully if a lapse is established and someone is found guilty. He said he could accept an independent finding that all was done properly.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. Yapjuangco is described in a GMA profile as a board-certified plastic surgeon who trained at Makati Medical Center. A public response from him or the clinic to the specific allegations was not found in the coverage reviewed.

As of 29 October 2026, the NBI inquiry remains ongoing, with both sides given an opportunity to present evidence. No timetable for its conclusion or findings has been reported.

Read more