GMA checks out of hospital

MANILA, Philippines - Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was discharged yesterday from St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City a week after undergoing cervical spine surgery.

But her doctors said she would continue to be under close medical watch.

Arroyo left the SLMC in the morning but did not face reporters staking out in the hospital hallway. SLMC management, however, provided media with photos showing the former chief executive wearing a neck brace and a red dress while being escorted by doctors.

Her doctor, Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, told reporters that Arroyo would be returning on Tuesday for post-surgery checkup. Doctors advised her to rest for a month.

She said the lawmaker suffered swollen vocal chords as she immediately received visitors and took numerous phone calls shortly after her operation last July 29.

“The operation was successful. But right now, she has a hoarse voice. Her voice was intact until we allowed her to talk, her voice became worse. Her vocal chords are swollen not because of complications of surgery but because of frequent use of cellular phone,” Cervantes said.

Arroyo’s spokesman lawyer Raul Lambino said the former president went straight to her home in La Vista, Quezon City.

Lambino said she would face allegations of poll fraud in the 2007 elections in the proper forum.

“I think in the right forum the Arroyos will give their side on the accusations being hurled against them,” he said, commenting on the call of resigned Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.