Mike Arroyo: Used choppers sold to private firm, not PNP

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo on Wednesday denied accusations that his family sold used helicopters to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009, during the incumbency of his wife, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Arroyo said the Volco helicopter, which previously belonged to their family firm LTA Incorporated, was sold to another private company, contrary to allegations by Sen. Panfilo Lacson that it was procured by the PNP. “The chopper issue is nothing but another sordid exercise to further malign our name. This is again part of the continuing persecution to mask the lackadaisical performance of this administration to the detriment of the Filipino people," he said in a statement. Lacson has been at loggerheads with the Arroyos for years, with the former accusing the latter of involvement in various government anomalies. He once accused the former First Gentleman of having secret bank accounts under the name “Jose Pidal" to launder money. On Tuesday, Lacson said he has documents proving that the Arroyos were the former owners of the Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOHs) purchased by the PNP for P105 million for its elite Special Action Force (SAF) unit in 2009. Arroyo, however, advised the public to “be wary of statements coming from a former fugitive from justice." Lacson fled the country in January last year after the court issued a warrant of arrest against him for his alleged involvement in the November 2000 killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito. He cited "harassment" from the Arroyo administration as his reason for leaving the Philippines. The senator eventually returned to the country in March this year after the Court of Appeals ordered the dismissal of the charges against him. - Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News