Ex-first gentleman Arroyo returns to country, blasts foes over ‘lies’

MANILA, Philippines — A defiant Jose Miguel Arroyo returned to the country on Monday morning and hit back his detractors “for peddling lies to the public while I am away.”

He indicated he would deal with the accusations hurled against him —  including allegations that he secretly owned helicopters that were sold to the Philippine National Police for brand new prices — in the proper venue.

“To my detractors, I am back! You should be ashamed of yourselves for peddling lies to the public while I am away, knowing fully well that I could not confront your lies in my absence,” Arroyo told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

He said he would be filing a complaint against Archibald Po for false testimony and perjury, and he planned to question a Department of Justice memorandum placing him on the immigration watchlist.

Po testified before a Senate committee that Arroyo owned five choppers, which his wife, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, used during the 2004 election campaign trail. Four of the helicopters were sold to the Philippine National Police, passed off as brand new. One chopper crashed.