Mike Arroyo’s bid to travel to Japan, Europe opposed

Former first Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — State prosecutors opposed on Tuesday Mike Arroyo’s request to travel to Japan and Europe on two separate occasions starting March 29.

In its comment to Arroyo’s motion for leave to travel abroad, the prosecution said the accused failed to demonstrate that there was an urgent reason for him to travel abroad. It also said the nature of the offense for which Arroyo has been charged, and his possible conviction, might motivate him not to return to the country.

Arroyo, husband of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and 21 other people, including former top officials of the Philippine National Police, are being tried for graft in connection with the allegedly anomalous sale of two used helicopters passed off as brand new for P105 million to the PNP.

In his motion, Arroyo stresses that despite having been arraigned for graft, he still enjoys the constitutional right to travel, subject to the restrictions of law and those which the court may impose.

He has asked the anti-graft court for permission to go to Japan from March 29 to April 4; and to various countries in Europe from May 17 to June 8.

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