Lacson: Ex-First Gentleman may face perjury raps

MANILA, Philippines—Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo might be charged with perjury if he admits owning five helicopters but risk losing two units if he disowns them, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Wednesday.

Lacson insisted that there was strong evidence that Arroyo owned five helicopters, of which two were sold to the Philippine National Police as brand new in 2009, but it would be difficult to prove that he had indeed influenced the sale of the pre-owned units.

“Malakas yug ebidensya to link him dun sa ownership. Pero kung may hand sya dun sa sale, that’s another matter. [The evidence linking him to the ownership is strong. But if he has a hand on the sale, that’s another matter.] But the fact remains he used to own the helicopters,” he told reporters.

During Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Lionair Inc. president Archibald Po claimed that he facilitated the purchase of the five choppers in 2003 for the campaign of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 presidential election.

On paper, however, Lionair was the registered owner of the helicopters.

If Arroyo would deny ownership of the helicopters, then he would lose his right to claim the two units that are still with the Lionair, Lacson said. The fifth helicopter allegedly crash with former Ilocos Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson in 2007.

But if he admits owning the choppers, Lacson said the former First Gentleman would have to explain why he did not declare it in former President Arroyo’s statement of assets, liabilities and networth.