Ex-First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to critics: I am back

UPDATED 1:10 p.m. - Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who was linked to a growing scandal involving second-hand helicopters sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP), returned to the Philippines from Hong Kong on Monday at past 11:00 a.m. Mr. Arroyo, in his arrival statement delivered at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said he resented being placed on the Immigration watch list. He told his critics, "I am back." "You should be ashamed of yourselves for peddling lies to the public while I was away... knowing fully well that I could not confront your lies in my absence," he said. The former First Gentleman chided officials of the Aquino administration for allegedly “harassing" him and his family. Mr. Arroyo and his wife, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are facing plunder, graft and tax evasion charges for the P728-million fertilizer scam, the NBN-ZTE deal, and other funds-related cases in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Their legal spokesperson Raul Lambino has denied the allegations on their behalf. In his arrival statement, Mr. Arroyo said: “It is now obvious to all of us that the authorities in power have placed the highest priority in a coordinated effort, whatever it takes, to harass the previous administration for imagined transgressions." He added, “This administration is hell-bent on making our lives miserable, by resorting to trial by publicity. It is sad that we are being conveniently subjected to bad publicity, instead of properly referring whatever charges that may be brought against us to the proper courts." Immigration watch list In particular, Mr. Arroyo criticized Justice Secretary Leila De Lima for supposedly “painting (him) as a fugitive on the run" by placing him on the Immigration watch list. He also vowed to question De Lima’s order. The Department of Justice on Thursday last week placed Mr. Arroyo on the Bureau of Immigration's watch list. The order placing Mr. Arroyo on the Immigration watch list stemmed from the request of Senate blue ribbon committee chair Teofisto Guingona III. An individual placed on the Immigration watch list must first ask the DOJ to lift the order before he or she can travel abroad. The person must also present the government-issued clearance before leaving the country. Lies, baseless accusations Mr. Arroyo likewise maintained his innocence on the controversial sale of the PNP choppers. “Let me put it of record that I do not own those subject helicopters sold to the PNP. I did not purchase the helicopters from Mr. Po," he said, referring to Lion Air president Archibald Po, who identified the former First Gentleman as the owner of the choppers sold as brand new to the PNP. Mr. Arroyo dismissed Po’s statement as “lies" and “baseless accusations." He also accused Po of trying “to extricate himself from the criminal acts he has committed." He announced that he has asked his lawyers to study the possibility of filing a perjury case against Po. “I wish to state clearly that I have no intention of avoiding accusations coming from Mr. Archibald Po... in an attempt to escape liability for criminal acts by riding on the present administration’s wave of malicious persecution against the previous administration and my family." Life-threatening disease Mr. Arroyo denied rumors that he went to Hong Kong to flee from the charges and accusations filed against him. He said he only went to Hong Kong for a medical check-up. "I am told my condition is life-threatening. You may consult any heart doctor who I am certain will immediately know the symptoms, characteristics [and] prognosis of my ailment. Only 5 percent survive operation, 50 percent will die in next five years. I don't want to die in the next 5 years that's why I'm very religious with my consultation with doctors," Mr. Arroyo said. He said the reports about him being the previous owner of the used choppers sold to the PNP as brand new circulated only after he left for Hong Kong. "It was only after I left for my medical exam that I was informed of all these lies and baseless accusations of my ownership of helicopters," Mr. Arroyo said. Not seeking asylum in Portugal Earlier, before leaving Hong Kong, Mr. Arroyo laughed off claims that he has sought asylum in Portugal, which does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines. Last weekend, San Juan Rep. Jose Victor Ejercito claimed there were reports that Mr. Arroyo and his wife, former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and their family are planning to seek asylum in Portugal. Newspaper reports on Monday quoted Ejercito as saying the Arroyos have an "exit plan to Portugal," which does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines. - with Candice Montenegro, Andreo Calonzo, VVP, GMA News