Mike Arroyo asked to attend Senate probe on PNP choppers

Assuring him of fair treatment, Senator Teofisto Guingona III on Monday asked former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo to attend this week's Senate blue ribbon committee inquiry on the controversial sale of two helicopters to the National Police in 2009. "We hope that he would take this opportunity to face the allegations against him... that he was the real owner of the second-hand helicopters sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP) at brand new prices in 2009," Guingona said in a statement. "We would like to assure Mr. Arroyo that he would be given a fair chance to air his side during the Senate blue ribbon hearing. As in previous Senate investigations, we would be mindful about his health condition during the proceedings," added Guingona, who heads the powerful blue ribbon committee. Mr. Arroyo arrived in the Philippines before noon Monday after undergoing a checkup in Hong Kong. Last week, Lion Air president Archibald Legaspi Po confirmed that Mr. Arroyo was the previous owner of the choppers that were sold as brand new to the PNP in 2009. Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) president Hilario De Vera likewise said the former First Gentleman had already made a deal with PNP officials so that they would accept the choppers without question. Mr. Arroyo and his employee Rowena del Rosario were later on invited by the Senate blue ribbon committee to the next hearing to answer the allegations. On Monday, Mr. Arroyo said that it was only after he left for my medical exam in Hong Kong that he was informed of "all these lies and baseless accusations" against him in connection with the said aircraft. — Kim Tan/RSJ, GMA News