Ex-President and Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo underwent a successful 5-hour surgical operation on her neck at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City on Monday.

Arroyo’s attending physician, Dr. Juliet Cervantes, said the former President is now recuperating in the hospital’s intensive care unit after the 5 hour cervical spine surgery.

Cervantes said there was no untoward incident during the operation and that Arroyo can now stand up and talk. However, the doctor recommended that the Pampanga lawmaker take a 3-week rest before she can return to work.