Mike Arroyo sues dealer of PNP choppers for perjury

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo on Wednesday sued Lion Air president Archibald Po for perjury, saying in his complaint that the business executive lied by tagging him in a Senate hearing as the owner of secondhand helicopters that were sold as brand new to the Philippine National Police (PNP). The husband of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally went to the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office at 2:50 p.m. and filed the complaint against Po. Po violated Articles 183 and 184 of the Revised Penal Code when the Lion Air president swore to his “perjurious affidavit" before the Senate blue ribbon committee, according to Mr. Arroyo’s complaint. In his affidavit submitted to the committee, Po said his “company is also the exclusive dealer in the Philippines of Robinson Helicopter Company of Torrance California, USA." The committee is investigating the irregularities supposedly surrounding the 2009 transactions that involved the Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters. Mr. Arroyo also accused Po of supplying false testimony and offering false testimony in evidence. “Dinadamay niya ako. Nagsinungaling siya sa sinabi niya na ako ang may-ari ng helicopter. Hindi naman totoo ‘yun," Mr. Arroyo said in an interview with reporters aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV In a phone interview with “24 Oras," the unnamed counsel of Po said the businessman stands by his statements. Previous owner Last week, Po confirmed before the Senate that Mr. Arroyo was the previous owner of the helicopters that were sold as brand new to the PNP. Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) president Hilario De Vera likewise said that Mr. Arroyo had already made a deal with PNP officials so that they would accept the helicopters without question. Po and De Vera, however, could not present documentary evidence that Mr. Arroyo was the owner of the controversial Robinson helicopters. When he arrived from Hong Kong on Monday, Mr. Arroyo branded Po’s statements as “lies" and “baseless accusations." He accused Po of trying “to extricate himself from the criminal acts he has committed." Mr. Arroyo was in China’s special administrative region for a medical check-up. He was placed on the Immigration watch list by the Department of Justice and invited to attend the Senate investigation this Thursday. The medical condition of Macapagal-Arroyo — who underwent surgery Wednesday morning to fix a dislocated titanium implant in her spine, is no excuse for Mr. Arroyo to skip Thursday’s Senate hearing, said committee member Sen. Panfilo Lacson. "It’s not an excuse. Hindi naman siya duktor," said Lacson, a long-time nemesis of the Arroyos. Still, Lacson said Mr. Arroyo may skip the hearing because the committee only issued an invitation, not a subpoena. Lacson added that he does not expect Mr. Arroyo to be present at the hearing. "I don’t really count on it," he said. On Tuesday, Lacson said that he will present new witnesses to further implicate the former first gentleman. — KBK/PE/VS, GMA News