Drilon questions SC TRO on Mike Arroyo watch list

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Franklin Drilon questioned the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against a government order putting former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo on its watch list.

“I can’t understand why the DOJ (Department of Justice) can’t watch Atty. Mike Arroyo,” Drilon said during a press conference on Tuesday.

“Atty. Mike Arroyo can also watch Senator (Panfilo) Ping Lacson. If Senator Lacson wants to leave the country certainly, Atty. Mike Arroyo can watch Senator Lacson. So why can’t Mr. Mike Arroyo be placed on a watch list?” Drilon said.

“I’ m asking this rhetorical question because the watch list does not impair the right to travel of a citizen. It’s simply a watch list. It’s not a hold departure order. The hold departure order can be issued only by the courts because that’s a restriction on the freedom of a citizen to travel,” he said.

A watch list, Drilon said, is “nothing more than a watch list.”

He said a person facing charges in court is put only on government’s watch list so that the DOJ could be informed if the person is going out of the country.

Drilon hopes that the Supreme Court would reconsider its ruling.

The watch list was issued by the DoJ on the request by the Senate, which has been investigating the sale to the Philippine National Police of used helicopters, allegedly owned by the former first gentleman.