Guingona urges Mike Arroyo to face Senate probe on chopper deal

MANILA, Philippines — The chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee is hopeful that former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is now back from Hong Kong, would face the Senate on Thursday to answer his alleged role into the anomalous purchase of second-hand police helicopters in 2009.

“We welcome the news that former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo has returned to the country from a medical trip in HongKong,” Senator Teofiso Guingona III said in a statement on Monday.

“We are looking forward to having him at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday (August 11) to answer allegations that he was the real owner of the second-hand helicopters sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP) at brand new prices in 2009,” he said.

Guingona assured that Arroyo would be given a “fair chance” to air his side when he faces the Senate.

“We hope that he would take this opportunity to face the allegations against him. As in previous Senate investigations, we would be mindful about his health condition during the proceedings,” Guingona added.