SENATE SAYS ARROYO FLIGHT TO HK PREEMPTIVE
Mike’s BI watchlist came much too late
By Angie M. Rosales 08/05/2011The Bureau of Immigration (BI) placed former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and his accountant Rowena del Rosario on its departure watchlist on orders of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday acting on a request of the Senate blue ribbon committee which summoned him to appear in its inquiry into second-hand helicopters purchased by the Philippine National Police (PNP) but it came a day too late as Arroyo was already in Hong Kong since Sunday reportedly for a medical check-up.
Arroyo had no departure record at the BI and it was surmised that he might have chartered a private plane to Hong Kong either last Sunday or on Tuesday.
The helicopters which are the subject of the Senate probe were allegedly owned by Arroyo and had been passed off as brand-new.
With his flight to Hong Kong amid the used choppers scam in which Arroyo allegedly pocketed $700,000 mark up, Senate probers said they now cannot compel Arroyo to testify before the chamber to establish the ownership of the two helicopters when these were sold, particularly if he’s not physically fit to do so.
Sen. Franklin Drilon said the issuance of an invitation or serving of a subpoena to Arroyo would also not be feasible if indeed he had left the country..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110805hed1.html
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