Lacson: Senate may still file separate raps vs Mike Arroyo

After the Philippine National Police, the Senate may file separate charges against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and company over the alleged P105-million "forced" purchase of used helicopters by the PNP in 2009. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, whose expose on the chopper purchase triggered the Senate probe, said Senate's prospective criminal complaints will be based on the evidence gathered during the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings. "We may likewise opt to include more individuals such as Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, Atty. Lope Velasco, and Rowena del Rosario at least for perjury and/or falsification of public and private documents," Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said in a statement. "Lastly, we may also consider to amend the charges against Mike Arroyo et al if we see it fit to file the more appropriate criminal charges in order to ensure their conviction," he added. The Senate Blue Ribbon investigation had traced the ownership of the helicopters sold to the PNP to the Arroyo-owned LTA Inc. Also, the Senate probe showed National Police Commission and PNP officials tweaked the specifications in the bidding to "tailor-fit" the Arroyos' choppers. Last Friday, the PNP lodged criminal complaints before the Ombudsman against the former First Gentleman and more than 20 others for the chopper purchase. Meanwhile, Lacson reminded the former First Gentleman it is now payback time for the abuses he engaged in during his wife's nine-year rule. "If Mike Arroyo still does not get it, nobody in this world stays in power forever. It is payback time for the Filipino people and all those cheated of their taxes in this country," he said. He also admitted his efforts to go after the former First Gentleman is partially "personal." Lacson had claimed earlier his decision to go into hiding for 14 months were due to the Arroyos' linking him to the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. "There's one among his numerous accusations against me that I won't argue albeit partially, if it is consolation enough for him: my motivation in running after him is 50 percent patriotism and 50 percent personal," Lacson said. — LBG, GMA News