MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DoJ) has ordered the removal of former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo from the agency’s watchlist as a result of which the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it will no longer bar him from leaving the country.
Lawyer Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, said Tuesday that immigration officers in all the airports and seaports were already instructed to clear Arroyo’s departure should he decide to go abroad.
“He (Arroyo) can now leave any time as there is no more legal impediment to his travel abroad,” Mangrobang said in a statement.
She added that the seven other individuals who were removed from the watchlist can also depart any time they wish. They are former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, Bong Serrano, Andrei Von Tagum, former political adviser Gabby Claudio, Rommy Dayday, Jeremy Javier and a certain Butch.
Arroyo and the seven others were placed on the watchlist a month ago after they were linked to alleged widespread fraud in the 2007 senatorial elections.
There are still more than 30 persons, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos and former Comelec commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, who remain on the watch list in connection with alleged fraud in the 2007 polls.