Ombudsman: Mike Arroyo liable in choppers mess

A fact-finding panel from the Office of the Ombudsman has found enough evidence to file graft charges against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo and several others in connection with the allegedly anomalous purchase of second-hand choppers by the Philippine National Police (PNP) two years ago. In a 98-page report, the panel recommended that Mr. Arroyo and 36 other individuals be subjected under preliminary investigation for alleged violation of Section 3 (e) and (g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Meanwhile, 16 PNP officers and personnel were recommended to undergo preliminary investigation for violating Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code on falsification by public officers, while 21 PNP officers and personnel were recommended investigated for "Gross Neglect of Duty and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service." Apart from Mr. Arroyo, recommended to undergo preliminary investigation are former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno; former PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa; Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) president Hilario de Vera; National Police Commission commissioners Avelino Razon Jr., Miguel Coronel, and Celia Sanidad-Leones; Napolcom Director Conrado Sumanga Jr.; and 28 other PNP officers and personnel. The panel was formed to review the Senate blue ribbon committee report on the controversy and come up with a report a week later. The panel later asked for a one-month extension so it could review the "voluminous" documents submitted to it by the Senate. The Senate committee earlier turned over its report implicating Mr. Arroyo, Puno, and some PNP officials for allegedly conspiring to sell second-hand helicopters passed off as brand-new to the PNP in 2009. The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had earlier filed separate plunder charges against 17 people, including Mr. Arroyo, in connection with the controversy. The camp of Mr. Arroyo has already described the complaint before the Ombudsman as "another round of Arroyo bashing" by the Aquino administration. In 2009, the PNP bought two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters from the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) at a higher price of P104.9 million. The choppers were supplied to MAPTRA by Lionair, which was supposedly acting on Mr. Arroyo's orders. Special panel The special panel that will be conducting preliminary investigation was created on Wednesday by the Ombudsman and will be composed of:

• Director Manuel Soriano Jr;
• Director Omar Sagadal; and
• Director Dennis Garcia.