Lacson: New witnesses to prove Mike Arroyo owned PNP choppers

Sen. Panfilo Lacson will be presenting documents and at least two new witnesses to prove that former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is the real owner of the two helicopters that were sold as brand new to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009. "Gusto ko marinig ang testimony nila although may pasabi na meron silang maco-contribute sa hinahanap naming katotohanan sa Senate hearing, which is to establish the identity or ownership of the secondhand helicopters," Lacson told reporters in an interview on Tuesday. Lacson refused to give anymore clues about the identity of the supposed witnesses. He noted, however, that the witnesses have firsthand knowledge about the issue. 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. Still, Po and De Vera failed to present documentary evidence that Mr. Arroyo was indeed the owner of the controversial choppers. Since July, Mr. Arroyo has been denying that he owned the helicopters bought by the PNP in 2009. New witnesses On Tuesday, Lacson said the new witnesses have in their possession documents that will implicate the former First Gentleman. "Di ko pa nakita ang mga documents na sinasabi but I suppose it will clearly establish ownership," he said. On Monday, Mr. Arroyo said that it was only after he left for a medical checkup in Hong Kong that he was informed of "all these lies and baseless accusations" against him in connection with the said aircraft. Mr. Arroyo, along with his employee Rowena del Rosario, have been invited by the Senate blue ribbon committee to its hearing on Thursday to answer the allegations. Warning vs Mike Arroyo Lacson, for his part, warned Mr. Arroyo that he should appear on Thursday or else a senator might make a motion to subpoena him. And if he still fails to show up even after being issued a subpoena, Lacson said they might have him arrested. "Sinabi niya narito na siya para harapin ang mga accusation sa kanya at ang tamang forum sa ngayon ang Senado dahil nagsasagawa kami ng investigation at dun lumabas ang testimonya at ebidensya na siya ang may-ari ng mga helicopter," he said. Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said that they have yet to receive confirmation regarding Mr. Arroyo's attendance on Thursday. - GMA News