Mike Arroyo in HK for checkup, may skip Senate probe — lawyer

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo’s attendance in the Senate investigation on the multi-million peso Philippine National Police (PNP) chopper controversy remains uncertain after he underwent a medical checkup in Hong Kong for his heart ailment, his lawyer said Wednesday. In a statement, lawyer Inocencio Ferrer Jr. said Mr. Arroyo flew to Hong Kong last Sunday and must secure a medical clearance first from two physicians before returning to the Philippines to face allegations against him. “As soon as medical clearance is given, he [Mr. Arroyo] will return to the Philippines to address the malicious issues raised against him," Ferrer said. Mr. Arroyo was hospitalized last April after suffering complications from the re-dissection of the thoracic aorta. Ready to face probe Ferrer likewise assured the public that Mr. Arroyo is “ready to answer the false and baseless allegations hurled against him by people who want him dragged in the controversy they themselves created." At a hearing by the Senate blue ribbon committee on Tuesday, Lion Air president Archibald Legaspi Po identified Mr. Arroyo as the previous owner of two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters that were sold as brand new to the PNP in 2009. Mr. Arroyo’s camp denied the allegation and threatened to file perjury charges against Po. It was Lion Air that sold to Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) two R44 Raven I choppers that were allegedly previously owned by Arroyo. MAPTRA then priced them as brand new and sold them to the PNP. The Senate plans to invite Mr. Arroyo during the continuation of the inquiry on Thursday next week. - KBK, GMA News