First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo wiggled his toes, could recognize people and was writing notes to his family yesterday, his brother Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th district) said yesterday.

"He's doing very well," said the solon who had spent the night at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the rest of their family as his brother underwent a risky 10-hour triple bypass operation and open heart surgery for aneurysm that ended 5 a.m. yesterday.

The first gentleman has a tube in his mouth so he can only mumble and convey what he wants to say through notes, the solon said of his brother.

The first gentleman is in stable condition and recovering at a fast pace, his doctor Juliet Gopez-Cervantes said yesterday afternoon. "Everything is positive, he is recovering faster than expected," she said.

The first gentleman was attached to a ventilator although he could breath on his own, she said.

Rep. Arroyo, in a text message sent to the DAILY STAR, said after a healing mass at past midnight "God provided a miracle," and now his brother is recovering.

Msgr. Victorino Rivas, vicar general of the Diocese of Bacolod said, the first gentleman "deserves prayers from the people for a speedy recovery because this is beyond politics."

The president remained at the St. Luke's Medical Center with her husband and was running the government from there, her aides said.

The first gentleman's doctors said that when he recovers, he will have to avoid smoking, diet on healthy food, and control his diabetes and hypertension. In Malacañang, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye said "President Arroyo and the First Family would like to express their gratitude to all those who have offered their prayers, sympathy and support at this difficult time."

Meanwhile, Gov. Joseph Marañon said the President may reschedule her visit to Negros Occidental for the blessing of the new airport in Silay City on April 19.

Initially he was told the visit would be moved to April 16 but at the moment he said official confirmation on whether it will be put off all together is still needed, the governor said.

Meanwhile, Marañon said Victorias Mayor Severo Palanca is recovering well at the Riverside Medical Center and is expected to be released from the hospital soon.

His condition is stable and he is talking already, the governor said.

Palanca was hospitalized Saturday after he suffered from indigestion after eating "ma-ho (dried shredded meat)" and strawberry shake that caused him to vomit and raised his blood pressure to 140 over 100, his doctor, Ernesto Palanca, said.*CPG

back to top