Senators want Mike Arroyo charged for choppers mess

UPDATED 1:40 p.m. - The Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday recommended that charges be filed against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and some Philippine National Police (PNP) officials for allegedly conspiring when second-hand helicopters were sold as brand new to the PNP in 2009. "The committee finds conspiracy among and between Mike Arroyo and the officers of the PNP. With Mike Arroyo's influence, a scheming conspiracy ensured that the supply contract will be signed - and that despite the clear fact that the delivered heicopters were clearly used helicopters, these will nevertheless be accepted by the PNP," said Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III during a weekly forum at the Senate on Thursday.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV In 2009, the PNP bought two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters from the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) at a higher price. The choppers were supplied to MAPTRA by Lionair, which was supposedly acting on Mr. Arroyo's orders. Mr. Arroyo, in a text message to GMA News Online on Thursday said, "here comes another round of Arroyo bashing." "This does not come as a shock, this has been their finding even before they started the 'probe,'" he said. He said the whole investigation "had not been in aid of legislation but a charade to indict us without any solid piece of evidence." "The Senate committee has found me the owner of the helicopters just on the mere say-so of one person whose testimony even contradicted with their main witness. The Senate committee has made the findings even when all documentary evidence show I am not the owner," he said. Mr. Arroyo insisted that there was no evidence or testimony that he talked to the police or used undue advantage or influence for the PNP to purchase the helicopters. "Clearly this is a biased Senate where the law is trampled upon by their whim and prejudice. I am prepared to dispute the findings in the proper forum where the rules of evidence and fairness, I am hoping, will be observed and upheld," Mr. Arroyo said. Persons to be charged In its recommendations, the Senate blue ribbon panel said that Mr. Arroyo should be charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act along with the following:

Ronaldo Puno (former secretary of the DILG and chairman of Napolcom)

Jesus Versoza (former police director general, Philippine Narional Police)

PDIR Luizo Cristobal Ticman (member, PNP negotiation committee)

PDIR Ronald Dulay Roderos (member, PNP negotiation committee)

PDIR Romeo Capacillio Hilomen (member, PNP negotiation committee)

PDIR Leocadio Salva Cruz Santiago Jr. (member, PNP negotiation committee)

PDG Jefferson Soriano (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

PCSUPT Herold Ubalde (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

PDIR George Piano (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)

PCSUPT Luis Saligumba (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)

PCSUPT Job Nolan Antonio (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)

PSSUPT Edgar Paatan (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)

PSUPT Ermilando Villafuerte (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)

PSUPT Roman Loreto (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)

Miguel Coronel (commissioner, Napolcom oversight committee)

Oscar Valenzuela (assistant secretary, Napolcom oversight committee)

Conrado Sumanga, Jr. (director, Napolcom oversight committee)

Crisostomo Garcia On the other hand, it also recommends the filing of charges against the following for violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act:

Jesus Versoza

PDIR Luizo Cristobal Ticman (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

PDIR Ronald Dulay Roderos (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

Romeo Capacillio Hiloman

PDIR Leocadio Salva Cruz Santiago Jr. (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

PSUPT Ermilando Villafuerte (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)

PSUPT Roman Loreto (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)

PDG Jefferson Pattaui Soriano (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

PCSUPT Herold Ubalde (member, PNP bids and awards committee) "Nagkaisa. Sama-sama sa panloloko. Sama-samang dapat managot si Mike Arroyo, Ronaldo Puno, Jesus Versoza, at ang mga taga-PNP. Walang nagsalita. Walang kumontra. Sabay-sabay ang gaalwa para lokohin ang mga Pilipino," said Guingona. Chopper controversy The PNP in May 2009 approved the supply contract for one equipped Light Police Operational Helicopter (LPOH) and two standard LPOHs even though the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) unit needed three equipped LPOHs. The PNP later on purchased one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters from MAPTRA for P104.985 million, which is the price for brand new choppers. The PNP reportedly paid P62 million for the two pre-owned choppers. During previous Senate hearings, several witnesses - including Lionair president Archibald Po - had testified that Mike Arroyo was the real owner of two of the three choppers bought by the PNP as brand new in 2009. He has denied the allegation. His brother Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy" Arroyo likewise defended him, saying he had evidence - a supposed lease agreement between their firm LTA and Lionair - that would clear his brother's name. But several witnesses - including Lionair general manager Renato Sia - have testified against the veracity of the document. The two Arroyos never showed up for any hearing. On Thursday, Guingona also recommended that Iggy Arroyo be investigated by the Ombudsman. "The blue ribbon also strongly condemns Iggy Arroyo for attempting to present the document to muddle the issue on the helicopter's true ownership. Because of this, this committee further recommends through the Ombudsman to investigate Iggy Arroyo's criminal liability in relation to his admission in a press statement and his attempt to cover up for Mike Arroyo," he said. Aside from the filing of charges, the Senate panel also recommended amendments to the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. They specifically suggested an increase in penalties and the prescription period of offenses. They also suggested the inclusion of a provision allowing the state to recover unlawfully acquired properties without time limit. It likewise recommended that the expansion of the offenses listed under the Government Procurement Reform Act and the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill. Guingona said 11 senators have so far signed the report, including senators Sergio Osmena III, Panfilo Lacson, Koko Pimentel, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Pia cayetano, and Jinggoy Estrada. However, he said more are expected to sign the report. Separate charges Guingona, meanwhile, said that he, Lacson, and Pimentel will be filing graft charges against Mr. Arroyo on their own later in the day. "This afternoon we will be complainants in our individual capacities as individuals and senators," he told reporters. In the same press conference, Lacson explained that they had agreed that every after investigation, they will file charges should they find enough evidence to do so. "Anybody is welcome to join us naman, we did not preclude them. The chairman invited the other senators, kami ni Sen. Koko we heeded the call. Di ba dapat matuwa tayo, matuwa si Juan dela Cruz na may nakikita tayong concrete action," he said. Lacson noted that as far as he can remember, this is the first time senators filed cases on their own based on the findings of a Senate committee. "Sa pagkakaalam ko ngayon lang nag-file ang individual members ng blue ribbon committee, he said. Guingona noted, however, that they are not pressuring the Ombudsman by recommending charges and then also filing cases on their own. He added that they are leaving it to the Ombudsman to decide what to do with what their submission. "This is an airtight case. We trust the new Ombudsman, definitely 200 percent," he said. Earlier, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had also filed plunder charges against 17 people, including Mike Arroyo. Guingona said he believes that their case is more "extensive and in-depth." "In fact the PNP admitted that they filed their charges based on the findings of the senate," he said. Earlier in an interview on GMA News TV Live on Thursday, Atty. Raul Lambino, legal spokesperson of the Arroyo camp, said "Hindi inaasahan nina Arroyo na patas ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng senado kaugnay ng PNP choppers." He said the Arroyos are ready to face whatever the outcome of the Senate investigation would be. - with Amanda Fernandez, VVP, GMA News