Mike A seeks dismissal of graft case

MANILA, Philippines - Former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss for lack of probable cause the graft case filed against him in connection with the alleged anomalous helicopter procurement deal of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009 and 2010.

Responding to the prosecution’s claims that it need not answer his motion for reconsideration of the ombudsman’s decision to indict him before the Sandiganbayan because all the issues he raised have been addressed before, Arroyo said the allegations against him are baseless.

“Respondent maintains that he was maliciously implicated in the above-entitled criminal case on the basis solely of speculative conclusions that he is the owner of the helicopters and that he had a presumed hand in the herein-assailed transaction between Manila Aerospace Products Trading (MAPTRA) and the PNP,” said Arroyo in his 12-page pleading submitted to the ombudsman.

The case stemmed from the PNP’s purchase from MAPTRA of one fully-equipped Robinson R44 Raven II Light Police Operational Helicopter (LPOH) for P42,312,913.10 and two standard Robinson R44 Raven I LPOHs for P62,672,086.90, or for a total of P104,985,000 from 2009 to 2010.

Arroyo said that he cannot be the owner, trustor, or beneficiary of the helicopters sold allegedly at an overpriced rate to the PNP in 2009 because as early as March 2001, he already sold and transferred his shares of stocks in Lourdes T. Arroyo, Inc. (LTA) to Benito Araneta.

Arroyo’s lawyers led by Edna Herrera-Batacan said his divestment of interest is proven by at least six documents, including a deed of assignment of shares of stock dated March 15, 2000.