Former FG Arroyo can challenge DOJ watch list order – Justice Sec De Lima

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is welcome to question the watch list order she issued against him.

“I issued that [watch list order] upon the formal request by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and per an existing Department Circular. It is perfectly the prerogative and power of the Secretary of Justice to issue the watch list order,” De Lima told reporters in an interview on Monday.

“If the former First Gentleman would want to question that, that is his prerogative. But I have not, and will not apologize for the issuance of the watch list order,” she declared.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is currently investigating Mr. Arroyo’s alleged involvement in the sale of second hand helicopters, purportedly passed on as new, to the Philippine National Police.

Last week, the Bureau of Immigration placed Arroyo, and his accountant Rowena Del Rosario, in its watch list upon orders from De Lima.

Immigration Associate Commissioner Abdullah Mangotara issued the memorandum to the Airport Operations Division and Immigration Regulation Division, to implement the order.

The watch list order is valid for 60 days unless sooner terminated or extended.

Arroyo cannot leave the country unless there is departure approval from De Lima.

Meanwhile, De Lima apologized to the former First Gentleman last week, not for issuing not for the watch list, but for her statement that he left for Hongkong without passing the Bureau of Immigration security at the airport.

His name did not appear in the initial search because it was misspelled as “Aroyo” instead of “Arroyo,” she said.