GMA seeking prayers for her family

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seeking prayers for her family.

In a statement posted on her official Facebook account, Arroyo said that it has been a difficult time for her family.

She said her husband, former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, will need major surgery for an aortic aneurysm which was repaired in 2007, but is “expanding again.”

“He will have to undergo a big surgery, combining a bypass and an aortoplasty, on April 7 to avert another emergency,” Arroyo said.

Meanwhile, she said her son Mikey had a biopsy which revealed stage one cancer of the thyroid gland.

“He underwent surgery last March 18, thankfully, a successful one,” Arroyo said.

Lastly, the former president said that Paowee Tantoco – the husband of her niece Dina who spent the first four years of her life in the Arroyo’s house – has passed away.

“I have been spending much time with my constituents in Pampanga because I will be leaving soon for Singapore for Mike’s surgery,” Arroyo said. 

“Please pray for my family,” she said.

The House of Representatives issued a one-page travel authority to Arroyo for a meeting with Singapore overseas Filipino workers from April 3 to 21, an anonymous source at the House confirmed.

Traveling with Arroyo are her husband and personal assistant Mynel Viado.