Former first gentleman Mike Arroyo sues Archibald Po for perjury

Former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo on Wednesday charged Lion Air president Archibald Po with perjury for naming him as the owner of the used helicopters that were sold as brand new to the Philippine National Police.

Arroyo was accompanied by his lawyer, Inocencio Ferrer, when he filed the case at the Pasay City Prosecutor’s office before 3 p.m.

Arroyo also filed charges of false testimony and offering false testimony in evidence against Po.

Sold as new

Po swore to his perjurious affidavit before the Senate blue ribbon committee, gave false testimony and offered both affidavit and testimony as evidence, said Arroyo in his 12-page complaint-affidavit.

The case was based on Po’s revelation during the August 2 Senate hearing in its investigation into the alleged anomalous and irregular acquisition by the PNP of light operational helicopters in 2009.

Po has accused the former first gentleman of procuring five helicopters from him before the 2004 elections. He said two of his R44 Raven 1 helicopters were later sold to PNP after being passed off as brand new.

Arroyo denied Po’s allegations.

‘Fabricated’

“It is very clear that Po is merely fabricating stories in order to implicate me in a transaction in which I never had a hand. His failure to give intelligent and convincing answers to questions propounded by the Senators only shows that his statements are lies. Outside of his own testimony, he has no document to show the veracity of his claims,” Arroyo said.

He said Po should be ordered to pay him P20 million in moral and exemplary damages.