The Senate Blue ribbon committee has charged former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and other key officials in the Arroyo administration over chopper purchases.
Also charged with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were former Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, former Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa, and 16 other officers of the PNP.
Blue Ribbon Chair Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona, along with Senators Panfilo Lacson and Koko Pimentel, will file the complaints before the Ombudsman Thursday.
The committee said it saw "conspiracy" among officials to ensure that the supply contract will be signed despite the fact that the helicopters sold to PNP were already pre-used.
The helicopters, sold and passed off as brand new, were worth P63 million.
"Nagkaisa. Sama-sama sa panloloko. Sama-samang dapat managot si Mike Arroyo, Ronaldo Puno, Jesus Verzosa at ang mga taga-PNP. Sabay-sabay ang galaw para lokohin ang mga Pilipino," said Guingona in a press conference.
Guingona pointed out that nobody disputed that the choppers were second hand.
According to the committee report, Arroyo bought the helicopters in 2004 then sold it to the PNP five years after with their original price and obtained roughly $700,000 or P30 million out of the illegal transaction.
“We are confident that we have a strong case. We have documentary and testimonial evidences. Naniniwala kaming makakatikim ng rehas sina Mike Arroyo kahit pa second hand ang rehas,” the Blue Ribbon Committee chair said.
Witnesses Archibald Po and Hilario de Vera, who have rendered their testimonies to the committee, have sought to be covered by the Witness Protection Program.
Lacson said they will file the complaint to the Ombudsman as citizens and individual senators. He said that this is the first time senators filed charges based on a committee report.
“This is being proactive and thinking out of the box. We are not only presenting the results but we are bringing it to those in charge. We trust the Ombudsman 200 percent,” Guingona added.
According to their complaint, the three senators also urged the Ombudsman to further investigate the possible criminal liabilities of Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo for his attempt to cover up Mike Arroyo’s ownership and participation in the anomalous transaction.
As the Blue Ribbon Committee’s main function is to conduct investigations in aid of legislation, it recommended that penalties against those who violate anti-graft and corrupt practices act be doubled, from six to 12 years of imprisonment.
It also recommended amendments for the government procurement reform act such as the inclusion of stages after bidding and negotiation, and award of the contract.
Lastly, the committee pushes for the passage of the freedom of information bill “to give definite, clear and implementable standards for concerned citizens and groups to have access to critical information like those related to the procurement of goods, infrastructure projects and consulting services by the government.”
