Wednesday, April 11, 2007 (Philippines)

First Gentlemen Miguel Arroyo with President Gloria Arroyo as they left the Mansion Guesthouse in Baguio City, following his discharge last Monday from a hospital there where he was treated for chronic gastritis. He was later transferred by helicopter to St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila where he underwent early yesterday a high-risk surgery to prevent the main artery of his heart from rupturing. (Malacañang photo via AP) THE six-month preventive suspension order on nine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 officials was finally served yesterday, almost two weeks after the anti-graft office came out with the ruling. The order was delivered to DPWH 7 last week but it was only yesterday that the DPWH hierarchy decided on who will replace Regional Director Robert Lala, a source said. Lala confirmed to Sun.Star Cebu that he will start serving his suspension today and that he will be replaced by engineer Gamaliel Abiera, chief of the DPWH 7 construction division. Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 [full story]