Senators set to file raps over PNP choppers mess

(Updated 6:36 p.m.) Senators are set file charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against those allegedly involved in the sale of second-hand helicopters to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009. In an advisory on Wednesday, the blue ribbon committee said that its chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III will release the panel's report on the alleged anomalous acquisition two years ago of second-hand choppers passed off as brand-new. It said that the committee report will be released during a weekly forum at the Senate on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. After the press conference, Guingona and other senators will proceed to the Office of the Ombudsman to file the appropriate complaint against the people who supposedly conspired and took part in the anomalous transactions. He said Senators Panfilo Lacson and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III will accompany him during the filing. The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group earlier filed plunder charges against 17 people, including former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. The complaint, filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, said the PNP's procurement of two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters from the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) in 2009 was anomalous. The choppers were supplied to MAPTRA by Lionair, which was supposedly acting on Mr. Arroyo's orders. — LBG/KBK, GMA News