GRAFT CHARGES were yesterday sought to be filed against personalities in the past administration led by former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” T. Arroyo for their alleged involvement in a helicopter purchase scandal.
The recommendation, contained in Committee Report 74 of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, also included in the charge list former Local Government secretary Ronaldo V. Puno, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus A. Verzosa and other active police personnel.
The committee also sought changes to the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Reform Act by increasing penalties and extending the prescription period of offenses.
“The committee finds conspiracy among and between Mike Arroyo and the officers of the Philippine National Police. With Mike Arroyo’s influence, a scheming conspiracy ensured that the supply contract will be signed,” Blue Ribbon committee chairman and Senator Teofisto L. Guingona III said in a weekly forum.
To ensure that the case is taken up even before the report is approved by the Senate and referred to the Ombudsman, Mr. Guingona and Senators Panfilo M. Lacson and Aquilino D. L. Pimentel III yesterday filed a complaint with the Ombudsman based on the committee’s findings.
The case involved the purchase by the PNP in 2009 of two used R44 Raven 1 helicopters despite an order for new units.
Archibald L. Po, president and owner of Lionair, Inc., supplier of the helicopters, identified Mr. Arroyo as the owner of the choppers during the Senate probe. Manila Aerospace Trading Corp. (Maptra), the marketing arm of Lionair, eventually inked a deal with the PNP for the purchase.
The helicopters, he added, were extensively used by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the campaign in the 2004 presidential elections.
Sought for comment, Arroyo counsel Innocencio T. Ferrer said in a text message that “the whole investigation had not been in aid of legislation but a charade to indict us without any solid piece of evidence.”
Messrs. Puno and Verzosa were not immediately available for comment.
A total of 19 persons were identified in the graft charge list, including active members of the PNP negotiation committee, bids and awards committee, and inspection and acceptance committee, and procurement oversight committee members of the National Police Commission.
The committee noted that the specifications of the deal were tailor-fit for the Raven helicopters.
Meanwhile, the committee report recommended a longer jail term of six to 12 years for violators of the anti-graft law from the current one to 10 years. The prescription period for offenses was lengthened to 20 years from 15 years.
Changes to the procurement law were also recommended to include a system of oversight after a purchase. The office that will conduct the oversight, frequency and threshold amount of purchases were, however, not indicated.
In addition, Mr. Guingona said, the committee has recommended the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, a measure that is in the priority list of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council.
A plunder charge was earlier filed at the Ombudsman by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against Messrs. Arroyo, Puno and Verzosa based the Senate probe.
The CIDG also filed charges against Mr. Po, Hilario P. de Vera, president of Maptra; and Renato M. Sia, former general manager of Maptra.
Messrs. Po and de Vera have been placed under the witness protection program for linking Mr. Arroyo to the scandal.
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By: RRD
Source: Business World, Oct. 13, 2011
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