MANILA - The daily healing Masses for former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will continue until she fully recovers from her third spinal surgery.

Lawyer Raul Lambino, spokesman of the Arroyo family, told The STAR that family members, friends and supporters of the Arroyos attend the Mass being held at 6 p.m. at the chapel of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

At least 100 individuals, including former government officials, attended last Thursday’s Mass for the speedy recovery of the former president. Among them were former environment secretary Lito Atienza, ex-Presidential Commission on Good Government chairman Camilo Sabio, and officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.

“The (Arroyo) family is very grateful for the prayers from supporters and even critics for the early recovery of the former president,” Lambino said.

He said Arroyo’s condition has improved two days after doctors successfully reconstructed the dislodged cervical spine implant.

Arroyo’s chief physician Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes had advised her to go on leave from Congress for about a month to ensure her full recovery.

Cervantes said that Arroyo, who is on a general liquid diet, could resume her normal diet starting today.

Arroyo will remain at the coronary care unit of St. Luke’s for seven to 10 more days until her doctors feel that it is safe to transfer her to a regular room.

“As soon as she fully recovers I will seek an audience for any instruction regarding the legal issues raised against the family,” Lambino told reporters.

He added that former first gentleman Mike Arroyo welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order on the watchlist issued against the Arroyos by the Department of Justice.

“The watchlist order issued by the DOJ is a violation of the rights of the people to travel,” Lambino said. philstar.com