Mike A, son leave for HK

A somber First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo boarded a Philippine Airlines flight to Hong Kong last night, a day after President Arroyo announced that her husband had decided to go into foreign exile to avoid conflict-of-interest issues that could further exacerbate her troubled presidency.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and Arroyo’s lawyer, Jesus Santos, said the First Gentleman will return to face any charges that might be filed in connection with allegations that he received jueteng payoffs.

Santos said his client would announce from Hong Kong where he planned to go into foreign exile.

Arroyo was accompanied by son Diosdado Ignacio, his son’s wife Cacai, their daughter Eva Victoria and a nanny. The flight took off at 6:15 p.m.

Santos said the First Gentleman wanted one of his children to be with him on the flight to Hong Kong.

Presidential daughter Lourdes Evangeline saw her father off at the airport. Bunye earlier said the President’s husband might leave on July 6.

Arroyo refused to speak to reporters before boarding his flight, staying at the airport presidential lounge, where he hugged his daughter before stepping out.

Santos told The STAR his client had complained of "being treated like a criminal" instead of as a man making a sacrifice for his country and his wife. Even the word "exile" used in media reports bothered him.

Santos said being away from his small grandchildren would be the most difficult sacrifice for the First Gentleman. "He said he was neither charged nor convicted of anything but he had to go to remove any distraction from his wife. He is really upset because according to him, he is not a robber, a killer or kidnapper but he is being treated like a criminal."

In a press conference announcing his exile, Mrs. Arroyo also seemed wounded by the allegations against her husband. "They want to get rid of some of their worries that give them sleepless nights and so he is making the big sacrifice," Santos said.

Bunye dismissed speculation that the First Gentleman had no intention of returning to face allegations being investigated by the Senate that he, his eldest son and younger brother took payoffs from jueteng operators.

In 2003, an accusation of money laundering was hurled against Arroyo by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who accused the First Gentleman of keeping secret local bank accounts under the alias Jose Pidal.

"They cannot say this is flight from guilt or any responsibility because he can always come back when invited to (a hearing). The most important thing for him now is to be away from intrigues and controversies," Bunye said.

The President told a business conference last Monday that her husband had opted to go into exile to avoid any controversies that could further undermine her presidency.

But Mrs. Arroyo indicated she would tough it out against opposition moves to oust her over allegations that she cheated in last year’s presidential election.

She vowed to push through with her reform agenda to get the country’s economy back on its feet.

"My husband has volunteered to go abroad... to remove himself from any situation which will cast doubts on my presidency," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"For my children and granddaughters, missing their doting father and grandfather is their small contribution to rebuilding our society. As a wife, I’m grateful to my husband for his sacrifice. My family will miss him terribly, and I ask for you to help pray that we remain strong as a family," the Chief Executive said.

Mrs. Arroyo said her husband "will leave to remove these distractions and doubts from our people," comparing him to a "Caesar’s wife" who must not only be incorruptible but also appear to be incorruptible.

She complained that her husband’s "contributions to health care and sports development have been the object of pillory, especially by my political enemies, who have been trying to distract me from fulfilling my reform agenda as president."

"This has been the subject of considerable pain for me and for the members of my family who’ve been subjected to these charges. To say that this goes with the territory in politics is easy, but it doesn’t stop people from being distracted from the real work required if we are to build a better nation."

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday lashed out at the opposition, saying Mrs. Arroyo had been emotionally affected by the separation. "The President and her family are also human beings. They’re breaking up a marriage, for what?"

The President’s husband — a lawyer who stopped practicing when his wife came to power to avoid conflict-of-interest issues — has long been a lightning rod for opposition attacks against her.

First Gentleman Arroyo was portrayed as an influence peddler working behind the scenes under his wife’s protection.

Media reports have alleged that Mr. Arroyo has influenced several government transactions and appointments. — With Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero