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Palace ‘interested’ in Lacson’s evidence vs Arroyos


Malacañang on Wednesday said it is waiting for Sen. Panfilo Lacson to present evidence that the Arroyo family sold their helicopters to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009, when Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was still president. “We’re also interested to know what evidence he has. So lahat tayo naghihintay ano ba talaga ang ebidensya niya," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing. He said Lacson needs no prodding from the executive branch to release the evidence he has on the helicopters “As you all know, he’s a crusader for good governance, and when he mentioned that he has evidence or documents proving his point, then we certainly expect him to do so. So we’re just waiting, as the public is, on the revelations of Senator Lacson," Lacierda said. In a statement on Tuesday, Lacson claimed he obtained documents indicating that the Arroyos were the former owners of the Light Police Operational Helicopters purchased by the PNP for P105 million for its elite Special Action Force unit in 2009. “And since the proceeds could exceed the P50-million threshold in a series of acts, those liable are candidate for a plunder case under our existing laws," said Lacson, a nemesis of the Arroyo family. Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo on Wednesday denied this, saying the choppers were sold to another private company and not the PNP. He described Lacson’s accusation as “another sordid exercise to further malign our name." Asked if Malacañang would order Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to conduct an inquiry on Lacson’s allegations, Lacierda said he is confident Robredo would do that even without a directive from President Benigno Aquino III. The PNP is an attached agency of the Department of Interior and Local Government. Lacson and Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III have already filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the alleged misrepresentations in the multi-million purchase of light operational helicopters by the PNP. The PNP, meanwhile, said it is willing to cooperate in the Senate investigation on the issue. “The PNP is committed to cooperate and support the investigation to be conducted by the Philippine Senate, so that in furtherance of the good motives that persuade the good Senator to make the disclosure, the PNP could become a more reliable and trusted institution under the present administration," said Chief Superintendent Felipe Roxas Jr. of the PNP’s directorate for logistics. He said upon receipt of the report stating that the purchased helicopters were not brand new, the PNP leadership tasked the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to conduct investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the delivery of the helicopters and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against those who erred in the performance of their duties. — KBK, GMA News

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