Sandigan OKs Mike Arroyo’s foreign travel

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan on Friday allowed former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo to travel to Europe and Hong Kong while the P34.6-million graft case against him in connection with the supposed irregularities in the procurement of second police helicopters was still pending.

The antigraft court’s Fifth Division granted Arroyo’s request to leave the country for a three-week vacation in Germany, Italy and Hong Kong.

In his petition dated Aug. 18, the husband of detained former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said he would fly to Munich, Germany, on Sept. 21.

He said he would stay at the Hilton Hotel in Munich until Oct. 2 and would then travel to Milan, Italy.

In Milan, Arroyo said he has a reservation at the Four Seasons Hotel from Oct. 2 to Oct. 6.

Before returning to the country on Oct. 10, he said he would fly to Hong Kong and stay at the Marco Polo Gateway Hotel.

In asking for the court’s nod, Arroyo said he had already proven that he was not a flight risk as he had returned to the country on the dates stated by the antigraft court in the authority to travel abroad it issued to him previously.

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