MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is kicking off Wednesday her remaining 12 months in office virtually in isolation.

Fresh from her four-nation swing, Ms Arroyo canceled on Tuesday some activities scheduled for this week, including a regular Cabinet meeting, as she began her quarantine amid the Influenza A(H1N1) virus scare.

And for good measure, Arroyo has also decided to check in at Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa.

"That's precisely because of the President going on quarantine," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said at a briefing, confirming the cancellation of Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

Her self-quarantine began on Tuesday, according to Remonde, exactly a year before she steps down on June 30, 2010.

"She's confirming her quarantine," Remonde said shortly after getting a call from Arroyo in the middle of the televised briefing. He said this was not mandatory but "advisable."

Arroyo arrived in Manila on Monday night from a 13-day swing through Japan, Brazil, Colombia and Hong Kong, which have all reported cases of the swine flu virus.

Keeping her promise

While Arroyo was not showing signs of the swine flu, she was keeping her promise to go on self-quarantine once she was back, according to Remonde.

Arroyo would go on quarantine but not necessarily for "10 days," the original protocol for incoming travelers from A(H1N1)-hit countries, he said.

Arroyo would also check in at the Asian Hospital in Alabang, Muntinlupa either late Tuesday or Wednesday morning to lead by example, and at the same time, to "undergo checkups," Remonde said.

Asked if Arroyo decided to check in at the hospital because she was exhibiting swine flu symptoms, Remonde said: "No, definitely not."

"She just wanted to show an example. She just wanted to cooperate with the well-meaning suggestions of well-meaning people [to go on quarantine]," he said.

Rest, regular checkup

At the same time, she would take advantage of her quarantine to "take a rest and undergo her own regular checkups."

Arroyo also underwent an "annual gynecological checkup" at the same hospital before her flight to Japan.

During her self-imposed quarantine, she would designate Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to represent her in her personal engagements.

She would take calls on the phone, but forgo meetings with a large number of people. She would probably meet one-on-one with officials "when necessary," Remonde said.

Advisable but not necessary

"It won't affect her work so much. She'll continue to do her paper work as she does on her trips," he said.

Asked why she had to rest at the hospital, instead of Malacañang, Remonde said: "Just as well. The environment is different."

Her contingent of Cabinet men, however, were not keen on imposing self-quarantine, according to Remonde, who joined the President's trip. "It's advisable, but not necessary," he said.

Apart from the Cabinet meeting, which was set to tackle the Global Recession Impact News, and the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, among others, Ms Arroyo canceled a trip to Iligan and the awarding of scholarships to students this week.

Founding anniversary

Arroyo also canceled her trip to Maasin where she was scheduled to speak at the 49th founding anniversary of Southern Leyte on July 1.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus will take the place of Ms Arroyo, who was also supposed to lead in the groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed new provincial hospital in Barangay Dongon, 8 kilometers from the Maasin proper, according to Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado.

Before the cancellation of Ms Arroyo's visit was announced, workers at the provincial government general services office were in a frenzy preparing streamers welcoming the President while the site for the proposed hospital in Dongon village was readied for the groundbreaking ceremonies.