Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño deplores travel permit to Rep. Mikey Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines—Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño on Saturday assailed as “deplorable” a Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s ruling that allowed Ang Galing Pinoy Party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo to leave the country for the United States.

Arroyo, son of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and his wife have been charged with tax evasion by the Bureau of Internal Revenue for failing to pay taxes amounting to P73.8 million in connection with the sale and purchase of various properties in the US and in the country as well as pieces of jewelry, vehicles and shares of stock.

Arroyo, who is to travel to the US from Nov. 14 to Dec. 7, is also included on a list of congressmen with approved authorization to travel to the US in November. The list was released by the office of the House Secretary General on Thursday.

Arroyo, who was required by the court to post a bond of P180,000, is scheduled to meet with members of the Filipino community in Southern California to solicit donations for medicine for his constituents.

Casiño questioned Arroyo’s wish to leave the country when the House will resume sessions on Monday.

“He should be here to perform his duties as a congressman. Is he rushing off to elude his inevitable conviction? We just hope he really comes back to face the charges against him,” he said.

Arroyo’s arraignment for tax evasion was to take place last Wednesday, but has been postponed to Jan. 18 next year.

Arroyo’s permission to travel was granted by the court amid the controversy swirling around the request of his parents, now Pampanga Rep. Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, to seek treatment abroad.

The Aquino administration has refused to lift a hold-departure order issued by the Department of Justice after complaints of plunder and electoral sabotage were lodged against the couple.