Mike Arroyo told: 'Fleeing is a sign of guilt'

Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III on Thursday told former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo that leaving the country right after the chamber invited him to an inquiry makes him look guilty. Guingona said it was suspicious how Mr. Arroyo suddenly went to Hong Kong just before the Senate was set to quiz him on his alleged ownership of the helicopters that were sold as brand new to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009. "If he is not the real owner of the choppers, then he should be man enough to face the allegations against him. In legal cases, fleeing is usually a sign of guilt," Guingona said in a statement released Thursday. But in a text message to GMA News Online, lawyer Inocencio Ferrer Jr., Mr. Arroyo's counsel, said: "The health of my client is paramount in the light of his operation for 'dissecting aortic aneurysm' (name of disease) and going to his medical specialists for treatment is not fleeing." Ferrer earlier 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. Guingona said that it would be "unfortunate" if the former First Gentleman fled just to avoid his committee's hearing. "He loses his opportunity to explain his ivolvement in the anomalous purchase of helicopters by PNP," he said. Earlier in the day, however, Mr. Arroyo said he will return to the country on Monday right after his checkup. The Senate blue ribbon committee's next hearing on the helicopter controversy has been scheduled on Thursday next week. — RSJ, GMA News