Mike Arroyo gets court nod for overseas trip

MANILA, Philippines — Despite objections from government prosecutors, the Sandiganbayan has granted former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo’s request to leave the country for two weeks.

Arroyo would leave for Tokyo, Japan on Dec. 26 and stay in  Oakwood Premiere Hotel in Chiyoda-ku, Marunouchi 1-8-2 until Jan. 1, 2019.

From Jan. 1 to 6, 2019, he will be in Hong Kong and billeted at the Kowloon Shangri-La in Kowloon.

Magistrates of the Seventh Division – chaired by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Gomez-Estoesta, with  Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Bayani Jacinto as members – reminded Arroyo to abide by the terms and conditions of the travel clearance, including posting a travel bond of P90,000.

Arroyo, husband of former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is facing four counts of graft before the Seventh Division in connection with the alleged sale of overpriced helicopters to the Philippine National Police in 2009.