First Gentleman hurt in road mishap

MANILA, Philippines - First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo figured in a vehicular accident in Mandaluyong City last Wednesday morning and suffered a slight head injury, officials said yesterday.

Arroyo’s lawyer Ruy Rondain said his client was on his way to the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club at around 8 a.m. when the right fender of his sports utility vehicle rammed into an electric post after a passing vehicle cut across the SUV’s path along Shaw Boulevard.

Rondain said Arroyo sustained a bump in the head.

“He’s (Mr. Arroyo) okay. In fact, he went about his official business after filing the necessary report with the police,” Rondain told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Presidential Security Group chief Col. Jonas Sumagaysay said the report sent to him indicated that the driver opted to hit the post to avoid hitting other vehicles.

Rondain said President Arroyo learned of the incident only after the First Gentleman went home to the Palace for dinner that evening.

“He (Mr. Arroyo) said it was just a bukol (bump in the head) but because of spousal concern, the President herself brought him to St. Luke’s (Medical Center in Quezon City) that evening for a CT scan, which came out clear. So they went back to the Palace that same night,” Rondain said.

Mr. Arroyo underwent heart surgery in 2006 and has been undergoing weekly therapy since then.