Congressman Arroyo, bookkeeper not yet off the hook on chopper deal–Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo and his former bookkeeper are not yet off the hook as the Senate may file a separate case against them and other individuals in connection with the helicopter sale scam, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said.
Lacson said Arroyo, Rowena del Rosario and lawyer Lope Velasco may be charged with perjury and/or falsification of public and private documents.

“The PNP [Philippine National Police] may have filed complaints for plunder and other related violations of law with the Ombudsman in connection with the anomalous purchase of second hand helicopters but it does not prevent the Senate from filing a different set of charges/criminal complaints based on our own evaluation of evidence gathered during the blue ribbon committee hearings,” Lacson said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Saturday.

“We may likewise opt to include more individuals like Iggy Arroyo, Attorney Lope Velasco and Rowena del Rosario, at least for perjury and/or falsification of public and private documents,” he said.

Arroyo claimed the used helicopters sold as brand new to the PNP were only rented by the family-owned LTA Inc. and were not owned by his brother, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Del Rosario was the congressman’s bookkeeper at that time and allegedly facilitated the rental payments of the helicopters while Velasco supposedly notarized the leased agreement between the LTA Inc. and Lionair Inc.

And despite the filing of plunder case the former First Gentleman, Lacson said the Senate may still amend the case against him and other individuals “if we see it fit to file the more appropriate criminal charges in order to ensure their conviction.”

“If Mike Arroyo still does not get it, nobody in this world stays in power forever. It’s payback time for the Filipino people and all those cheated of their taxes in this country,” he said.

Lacson admitted that his motivation in running after the former first gentleman was “50 percent patriotism and 50 percent personal.”

“There’s one among his numerous accusations against me that I won’t argue, albeit partially, if it is consolation enough for him – my motivation in running after him is 50% patriotism and 50% personal,” the senator added.