MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 4) First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo flew back to Manila Saturday afternoon. His doctors said it was just bout of vomiting and diarrhea caused by something he must have eaten that forced President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos plane to make an emergency landing in Japan Friday night while en route to the Apec summit in Peru.
But while the doctors declared that the first gentlemans heart and vascular system were all right, he would have to remain in the hospital for a day of two to take intravenous fluids to treat a mild case of dehydration due to the spell of vomiting and diarrhea.
In a medical bulletin Saturday afternoon, shortly after Arroyo was driven to the St. Lukes Medical Center straight from the presidential hangar at Villamor Airbase, attending physician Juliet Cervantes said Arroyo had complained of excruciating stomach pain several hours after the President and her party left Manila Friday afternoon.
Because of his problem with his aorta, it was decided that the flight be redirected to Osaka for the First Gentleman to be examined, the doctor told reporters.
We would like to make it clear that there was no heart attack and there will be no operation needed, Cervantes clarified.
After the presidents plane landed in Osaka, the first gentleman was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors conducted a magnetic resonance angiography, Cervantes related.
Cervantes and Dr. Rommel Cario, along with Representative Diosdado Dato Arroyo, had flown to Osaka early Saturday aboard a San Miguel Corporation plane to better assess Arroyo's condition. It was apparently the same plane that flew them back later Saturday.
Cervantes said the acute infectious diarrhea which developed during the flight was not at all related to the first gentleman's aorta problem.
In 2007, he underwent a high risk open heart surgery after being diagnosed with a dissecting aortic aneurysm, a condition in which a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, a large blood vessel branching out from the heart.
We are happy to announce that the First Gentleman's heart and vascular vessels are healthy and in good condition, Cario told reporters.
The doctor explained that in such a case, any pain from any part of the body could have come from the aorta problem. The remaining aorta did not deteriorate, Carino clarified.
He is now stable although he still has episodes of diarrhea and no more stomach pain. We decided that the President can go ahead but he must return here for us to evaluate him, Cervantes said.
Asked on what food could have caused the diarrhea, Cervantes replied: He had a steak prior to the flight. Even if well cooked, as long as the stomach is not in good condition, it could happen.
Cervantes said Arroyo was staying at the presidential suite and was not taking medication, save for constant IV (intravenous) fluids to help him re-hydrate. He will be also asked to avoid fatty and oily food.
With divine intervention, fortunately there will be no operations needed. Only blood examinations to check how well he is doing, she added.
He is now stable. In fact, he walked all the way to his room, Cervantes related. Arroyo was ushered through a back door and not the main lobby where reporters awaited him.
Members of the media were unable to catch a glimpse of Arroyo entering the hospital.
There was no deliberate plan to hide him from the media. We just wanted to examine his condition first, Cervantes said.
His son, Dato, has reportedly been keeping his father company since their arrival in Manila at 2:06 p.m.
We want him to rest, Cervantes replied when asked if visitors would be allowed to see Arroyo.
Security at the Quezon City hospital was tight with more guards than usual.
Earlier in the day, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez dropped by the hospital to visit an acquaintance.
I think the fact that he was allowed to fly to Peru means he is good condition. We wish him good health, Golez told reporters, claiming that he was not privy to the details of Arroyo's health.
The San Miguel plane landed in the Villamor Airbase and taxied to the presidential hangar, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso Cusi said in a telephone interview.
The airport control tower said Arroyos plane landed at 2:06 p.m.
Cusi and other airport officials said the first Gentleman was in good spirits when he stepped down the plane. He was okay. He was walking and talking to his companions, Cusi said.
The First Gentleman was supposed to accompany President Arroyo to Lima, Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. After the conference, they were scheduled to go to Colombia for an official visit.
