Palace: Arroyo likely to skip birthday party in hometown

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is likely to skip her 63rd birthday celebration in her hometown of Lubao in Pampanga province this coming Monday, if First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo still needs to stay in the hospital. Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas announced this on Wednesday, saying that the President is so concerned about her husband’s health. "Nakikita natin [na] mukhang di niya iniiwanan ang First Gentleman. Kung saan si First Gentleman nasa ospital pa, nakita naman natin talagang di siya umaalis maski isang minuto (She does not want to leave the First Gentleman’s side. If he will still be in the hospital on her birthday, she might spend it there because she has not left his side even for a minute)," Planas said in an interview on dzXL radio. She appealed to Lubao residents for understanding, saying President Arroyo considers her family members her top priority for now. "Ganyan ang pamilya, ganyan ang mag-asawa (That is what a family is for, what a spouse is for)," she said. President Arroyo has set up a temporary office at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City since her husband was brought there last March 25. On Tuesday, the First Gentleman was moved to a regular room from the intensive care unit, even as Mrs. Arroyo met with some of her Cabinet officials at the hospital. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV