MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underwent a successful 5-hour surgical operation on her neck Friday at the St. Luke's Medical Center – Taguig City, her doctors said.

Arroyo's attending physician, Dr. Juliet Cervantes, said the Pampanga lawmaker is now recuperating in the hospital's intensive care unit.

She decribed the procedure as "5 hours of uneventful surgery."

"There was no untoward incident," Cervantes said in the medical bulletin issued Friday night.

She added that Arroyo is now awake and can stand up and talk.

Her cervical spine surgery started at around 7 a.m.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mario Ver recommended a 3-week rest for Arroyo before she returns to work.