GMA undergoes weekend medical checkup

MANILA, Philippines - In preparation for her trip to Copenhagen, Denmark for the United Nations Climate Change Summit next Wednesday, President Arroyo checked into the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City for a routine check-up.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said there was nothing wrong with the President and the check-up was just part of her usual routine before leaving for an overseas trip.

Remonde said that Mrs. Arroyo attended the Christmas party of the Office of the President at the Kalayaan grounds of the Palace last night before checking into the hospital.

“She is scheduled to check out Sunday night and resume her regular work schedule on Monday. The President is in good spirits. The weekend check-up is part of her wellness routine,” Remonde said.

The Copenhagen Summit will end on Dec. 18 but it was not clear whether or not the President would immediately return to Manila.

It was not the first time that Mrs. Arroyo underwent a check-up just before a trip.

Last June, the President checked into the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City for a routine check-up just before her two-week visit to Japan, Brazil, Colombia and Hong Kong.

Immediately upon her return, Mrs. Arroyo checked back into Asian Hospital for what was supposed to be a precautionary measure against the A(H1N1) virus.

These two check-ups caused a stir when reports came out that the real reason why she checked into the hospital was because she underwent an MRI of her breast and groin and that lumps were detected.

A biopsy was subsequently conducted on the President and Malacañang eventually said that the results were negative and that she was given a clean bill of health by her doctors.

In December last year, Mrs. Arroyo also underwent an executive check-up at St. Luke’s before leaving for Hong Kong.

It was in 2007 when the President was last hospitalized due to a stomach ailment.