Lacson may present new witness in PNP chopper probe

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said he may present a new witness during the Senate blue ribbon committee's inquiry into the alleged misrepresentations in the Philippine National Police's (PNP) multimillion-peso purchase of helicopters in 2009. Lacson, however, refused to reveal any details about the supposed witness. "Hindi pa naman siguro kung dadalo siya bukas kaya mahirap naman sabihin kung sino at saka magbigay ng clue, baka mamaya umatras pa," he said. "Hintayin na lang natin bukas." Lacson and Sen. Teofisto Guingona III filed the resolution to investigate the controversial chopper purchase where the former First Gentleman, Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo, and his brother Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy" Arroyo are implicated. Several witnesses, some of them presented by Lacson, had testified that Mike Arroyo was the owner of two of the three choppers bought by the PNP as brand new in 2009. The former First Gentleman has denied the allegation. On the other hand, Iggy Arroyo defended his brother, saying he had evidence — a supposed lease agreement between their firm LTA and Lionair — that would clear his brother’s name. Several witnesses, however, have testified against the veracity of the document. On Monday, the Senate blue ribbon committee, which was under Guingona, cited former LTA bookkeeper Rowena del Rosario in contempt and ordered her arrest for supposedly being evasive in her answers and allegedly covering up for the Arroyo brothers. In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Guingona said that they don't know yet until when they will keep Del Rosario in detention. He, however, reiterated his call to Iggy Arroyo to appear before the Senate panel since Mike had been excused from the probe for health reasons. "Si Mr. Arroyo naman sana pumunta siya dito para humarap. Andaming tanong, humarap ka na Mr. Arroyo," he said. Guingona said he expects the probe to last for two or three more hearings. - KBK, GMA News