Mike Arroyo returns, denies owning used choppers

MANILA, Philippines – “I do not own those helicopters,” said former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo in denying allegations that he owned the helicopters that were sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Archibald Po, a businessman involved in the transaction, told a Senate investigation last week that Arroyo was the owner of the controversial helicopters.

Arroyo issued his statement in a live media conference Monday after his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 Monday from his trip to Hong Kong for a medical check-up.

He said that Po’s testimonies were “lies” and “unsupported”.

Stating that the Senate inquiry into the Philippine National Police’s anomalous purchase of secondhand Robinson R44 helicopters had not started when he flew out to Hong Kong back on July 31, Arroyo had this to say to his detractors: “I am back. You should be ashamed of yourselves for peddling lies to the public.”

He said that their “trial by publicity” left them with “no other recourse” than to request their lawyers to take legal actions such as the filing of a perjury case against Po and a petition questioning the validity of the Department of Justice’s watchlist order against him.

He further alleged that the present authorities in power were hell-bent on harassing the previous administration.

Arroyo said that his doctors in the Philippines would be discussing his heart condition with the doctors he saw in Hong Kong.

He said that he was advised to “avoid stressful situations” and was told not to let his blood pressure exceed 120 “as to not aggravate [his] condition.”

The former first gentleman was met by his lawyer Inocencio Ferrer at the NAIA after his Cathay Pacific flight landed Monday morning.