President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is relieved that her husband, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, is out of danger after a successful spinal surgery over the weekend, the Palace said.

If the First Gentleman continues to recover from the medical operation, the President is expected to continue her official engagements this week, said Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar.

Mrs. Arroyo has kept watch over her husband, who underwent a fivehour spinal surgery last Saturday at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

Doctors earlier declared the spinal surgery of the First Gentleman was a success, adding he will be transferred soon from the intensive care unit to his regular room. They are confident that Mr. Arroyo, who turns 64 on June 27, can return to playing golf in a month.

“I believe the President and the First Family are happy with the successful medical procedure done on the First Gentleman,” Olivar said in his weekly media briefing aired over Radyo ng Bayan.

“If his condition holds up and he becomes well, the President could leave his side and return to her normal schedule,” he added.

Olivar said the President will have a busy week ahead with numerous engagements, including the launch of two books highlighting her accomplishments and a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The two books, entitled “Beating the Odds” and “Beat the Odds: Another stone for the Edifice,” will be launched on Tuesday, a few days before President Arroyo vacates the Palace.

Olivar said the President is also scheduled to deliver a farewell address to the nation on Wednesday. Mrs. Arroyo will relinquish her post to President-elect Benigno Aquino III on June 30. Afterwards, she will travel to Pampanga to take her oath as congresswoman of the second district of the province.

Malacañang earlier called on the public to pray for a safe surgery of the First Gentleman who was admitted to St. Luke’s hospital last Thursday.

At the launching of his two books last week, the First Gentleman announced he would undergo a surgery on his spine, citing back pains. Mr. Arroyo is undergoing therapy at the hospital since his risky heart surgery in April 2007.