Sandigan allows Mike A to leave for Europe, Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo has been given court permission to travel to Europe and Asia next month.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division allowed Arroyo to leave the country on Sept. 21 and return on Oct. 10.

Arroyo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told The STAR the travel would be a leisure trip to two European countries with some members of his family.

The nearly three-week long vacation will include stops in Munich in Germany, Milan in Italy, and Hong Kong, he added.

Arroyo needs permission from the anti-graft court before he can travel abroad because of a graft case he is facing in relation to a helicopter purchase anomaly in 2009.

Similar requests for travel clearance for the same dates are pending before the Fourth Division, where he is facing another graft charge in connection with a national broadband network deal anomaly.

The Sandiganbayan had been allowing Arroyo to travel under conditions that he will report to the anti-graft court after his return, and that his trips would have details.

Arroyo has also posted travel bonds, which he no longer withdraws, so that every time he asks for travel clearance and given permission, he no longer has to pay for one.