Mike A faces graft case for 'robbing Filipino people'

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has recommended the filing of criminal charges against former first gentleman Mike Arroyo for "robbing the Filipino people of P62 million" in connection with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) controversial purchase of two second hand helicopters in 2009.

In a press conference, committee chairman Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III said that he and other senators, including Panfilo Lacson, will file a criminal complaint against the former gentleman for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Law at the Office of the Ombudsman "as citizens and individual senators" this afternoon.

Also to be charged were former Interior and Local Government secretary Ronaldo Puno and former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa.

Guingona said that there was a clear conspiracy between Arroyo and the PNP in the anomalous purchase of the choppers, which were sold as brand new and later discovered as second-hand.

"Nagkaisa, nagsama-sama sa panloloko, sabay-sabay ang galaw para lokohin ang taong bayan," Guingona pointed out as he presented the committee report during the Kapihan sa Senado past 11:00 a.m. today.

He also noted that Arroyo conspired with private individuals to commit violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Law.

He said it is very clear that the helicopters arrived in the country in 2004 and were used extensively by the Arroyos during the elections that year before these were sold to the PNP in 2009.

Despite the documents showing that the choppers were already used, the committee questioned why no one among the procurement officers sought clarification when the sellers of the helicopters presented it as brand new.

"Sobrang gamit na gamit na, hindi na ligtas. Mike arroyo took advantage of the PNP and rob the Filipino people of P62M," Guingona emphasized.

Aside from Arroyo, the committee also recommended the filing of charges against members of the PNP negotiating committee, officers and members of the PNP's bids and awards and inspection and acceptance committees, namely:

• Luizo Cristobal Ticman
• Ronald Dulay Roderos
• Romeo Capacillio Hilomen
• Leocadio Salva Cruz Santiago Jr.
• Jefferson Soriano
• Herold Ubalde
• George Piano
• Luis Saligumba
• Job Nolan Antonio
• Edgar Paatan
• Ermilando Villafuerte
• Roman Loreto
• Miguel Coronel
• Oscar Valenzuela
• Conrado Sumanga, Jr.
• Crisostomo Garcia

In its report, the committee also urged the Ombudsman to investigate Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo for attempting to muddle the investigation when he came out with a statement, claiming that the family-owned company, LTA Inc., leased the helicopters from Lionair Inc.

"(We) wanted the Ombudsman to investigate Iggy Arroyo in his attempt to coverup [for] Mike Arroyo," Guingona said.

The Senate committee is also mulling the filing of appropriate charges against Archibald Po and Hilario de Vera, presidents of Lionair Inc and Manila Aerospace Products Trading (MAPTRA), respectively.

PNP case

The PNP had filed plunder charges against the former first gentleman based on the same controversy.

Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection had said that the investigating body is confident that it has strong evidence against Arroyo.

Puno and Verzosa were also included as respondents in the plunder case. Both officials have denied liability in the purchase of second-hand helicopters during the hearings conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Retired and active officials of the PNP, who were part of the bids and awards and inspection and acceptance committees, were also charged with plunder.

Stiffer penalty

With the controversial deal, the Senate Blue Ribbon wanted an increase on the penalty of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Act from six years imprisonment to not less than 12 years.

Guingona said that the committee will also seek to increase the prescription period of the offenses from 15 years to 20 years, and push for the right of the state to recover properties unlawfully acquired by any individual.

"The reach of the law should not be barred by the passage of time," said Guingona.