MANILA, Philippines - First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo said on Tuesday that the First Family started moving out of Malacañang Palace two weeks ago, and they are now living in their house in La Vista subdivision in Quezon City.

In an interview, Mr. Arroyo said starting last Sunday, he and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were no longer sleeping in Malacañang Palace. "We've been moving out already. We've been packing. More than 2 months ago we started packing, clothes are out already. Last Sunday we already stayed in La Vista," he told reporters in Malacañang.

Mr. Arroyo, who has a heart ailment, also disclosed he will undergo a spinal column surgery on June 19. "It should be done while I'm still OK. If I have that pain it might cause a tear in my aorta, which happened the last time. I couldn't stand the pain," he said.

He said he is scheduled for operation at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig on June 19 and would stay there for 10 days. He added that he would likely celebrate his birthday on June 27 at the hospital.

Arroyo on Tuesday launched a book titled "First", which includes all his answers to criticisms against him and his family. During the launch, Arroyo lamented the media's unfair treatment of President Arroyo including its failure to highlight President Arroyo's achievements in the past 9 years.

"It was very unfair the way President Arroyo was treated. Achievements were not highlighted, people don't know her achievements. We did not go to recession and people don't seem to know that. Other countries went to recession but the Philippines never went to recession," he said.

He also urged President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to stop criticizing the outgoing president. "He should unite country instead of dividing it. Maybe he thinks he is still the president of the opposition. He forgot he is the president of all Filipinos already," he said.

The Arroyo government has a transition team that intends to facilitate a "smooth turnover" to the next government of President-elect Aquino.

The two sides have met to discuss the inaugural of Aquino on June 30.

Mrs. Arroyo will have her final Cabinet meeting on June 29 before the oath-taking of Aquino at the Quirino Grandstand the following day.

Mrs. Arroyo will assume her post as representative of Pampanga's second district after she steps down from her 9-year presidency.