The Supreme Court has cleared former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo of any criminal liability, in connection with the alleged anomalous procurement of helicopters in 2009 worth P105 million.
In a 19-page resolution, the SC’s Special Third Division overturned its earlier ruling issued on January 27, 2020 which upheld Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution issued in 2013, which found probable cause to indict Arroyo for violation of Section 3 ( e ) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The anti-graft body filed information before the Sandiganbayan after finding sufficient basis that the sale of the two-owed pre-owned helicopters, purportedly owned by Arroyo caused undue injury to the Philippine National Police and the government in the amount of P34.6 million.
Besides Arroyo, also named respondents in the complaint were his brother Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) president Hilario “Larry” De Vera, and officials of the PNP.
“Here, a careful scrutiny of all the evidence the prosecution submitted to establish the existence of probable cause against Arroyo reveals that no evidence of the prosecution demonstrated the manner by which Arroyo connived with any public officer in the purported anomalous procurement,” the SC ruled.
“Even if the unverified statements of the prosecution’s witnesses are admitted, these still fail to show how Arroyo connived with any public officer,” the high court said.
Court records showed that the case arose from the PNP’s purchase from MAPTRA of one fully-equipped Robinson R44 Raven II Light Police Operational Helicopter for P42,312,913.10 and two standard Robinson R44 Raven I LPOHs for P62,672,086.90, or for a total amount of P104,985,000.00 from 2009 to 2010.
An investigation conducted by the anti-graft body with regard to the procurement of the said helicopters indicated that the helicopters that were subject of the procurement were not brand new contrary to the requirement of the PNP procurement.
The probe also showed that two of the three delivered Robinson Raven I LPOHs were actually pre-owned by former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
However, Arroyo denied the allegations against him, insisting that he has no connection with MAPTRA.
He explained that it was Lourdes T. Arroyo, Incorporated through its president and brother, the late Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, who transacted with Archibald L. Po, owner of Lionair Inc. (Lionair) and Asian Spirit Inc. (Asian Spirit) for the advancement of money so that Po’s Lionair could acquire five helicopters from its manufacturer Robinsons Helicopter Company.