Mike Arroyo to be invited in next hearing of PNP choppers mess

The Senate blue ribbon committee will be inviting former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo to its next hearing for his alleged involvement in the misrepresentations in the Philippine National Police's multi-million purchase of helicopters. "I move that we issue letters of invitation to Mr. Mike Arroyo," Senator Panfilo Lacson said during Tuesday's blue ribbon committe hearing on the issue. Lacson likewise asked that Mr. Arroyo's employee — Rowena del Rosario — also be invited to the panel's next hearing. Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III accepted Lacson's motion and asked the Senate secretariat to issue the necessary invitations. The senators made the motion after Lion Air president Archibald Legaspi Po confirmed that Mr. Arroyo was the previous owner of the two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters that were sold as new to the PNP in 2009. Po likewise confirmed that Del Rosario was Mr. Arroyo's employee, whom he surmised was an accountant, who facilitated the payments for the helicopters. Last month, Mr. Arroyo denied selling used helicopters to the PNP in 2009. The Senate hearing was ongoing as of posting time. — Kim Tan/RSJ, GMA News