The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has allowed former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to travel five days to and from Taipei, Taiwan, saying he is “not a flight risk.”
The anti-graft court granted Arroyo’s motion to travel from Feb. 2 to 6, provided he will present himself to the division clerk of court within five days after his return to the Philippines.
Arroyo is facing graft charges at the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division owing to alleged irregularities in the Philippine National Police’s purchase of two helicopters in 2009.
The Ombudsman accused Arroyo and 19 others, including former national police chief Jesus Verzosa, of causing "undue injury" to the government amounting to P34.6 million when the second-hand helicopters were sold to the PNP as brand new.
Arroyo did not cite a reason for the trip, and if any member of his family—including his wife, former president and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo—will be joining him. He only submitted to the court his itinerary and hotel accommodation in Taiwan.
But Prosecutor Ferdinand Labog opposed Arroyo’s travel, calling it “unnecessary.”
The court said Arroyo’s P90,000 travel bond will “guarantee his faithful compliance” with the jurisdiction of the court. It said any violation will forfeit the bond and will cause the issuance of a warrant of arrest.
