Delisting of Mike Arroyo shows DOJ is 'reasonable' in WLO issuance

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday said the removal of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo from the Immigration watch list proves the DOJ is "reasonable" in issuing such orders.   De Lima said Mr. Arroyo and seven other individuals earlier linked to alleged electoral sabotage were dropped from the list because the Commission on Election (Comelec) en banc did not find probable cause to file charges against them.   "This shows na reasonable kami when we issue watch list orders, and we issue them for a limited period lang, for 60 days at pag-nag-expire, nili-lift na namin unless kailangan i-extend," De Lima said.   She said the lifting of the WLO against Mr. Arroyo Tuesday was somewhat similar to another instance when an earlier WLO against him was recalled.   That earlier WLO was issued after Mr. Arroyo was implicated in supposed sales to the Philippine National Police of second-hand helicopters that were passed off as new.   "Pero noong wala na ang kaso sa Blue Ribbon, tinanggal na namin," De Lima said. The Senate committee report was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.   Apart from Mr. Arroyo, other people removed from the watch list in a one-page order were:  former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, former presidential adviser Gabby Claudio, Bong Serrano, Andrei Tagum, Romy Dayday, Jeremy Javier and one alias "Butch."   "On the basis of the dismissal of the aforementioned cases by the Comelec against them... the legal basis for their continued inclusion in the WLO ceased to exist," the DOJ said.   "Accordingly, their names are hereby ordered deleted from the Bureau of Immigration Watch List unless they are the subject of a WLO or Hold Departure Order in any other case/s," the DOJ added."   The Supreme Court on Nov. 15 temporarily stopped the implementation of the watch list orders against the Arroyo couple, who were restricted from traveling abroad because of electoral sabotage complaints filed against them.   The justices are currently hearing oral arguments for and against the WLOs, as well as Department Circular No. 41, which was used as basis for the issuance of the watch list orders. —  ELR/VS, GMA News