Arroyo family, solons among ‘frequent fliers’ of controversial PNP choppers

Two controversial police helicopters that were supposed to be "brand new" have apparently been previously used by the Arroyo family, several lawmakers, and even celebrities before they were sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP). Flight records obtained by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters (RP-4250 and RP-4375) indicated that the aircraft had been used to fly former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, their sons congressmen Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo (Pampanga) and his family, Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo (Camarines Sur), and daughter Evangelina Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo. The DILG found out that Mikey and his family — wife Angela Montenegro Arroyo and their two children — were among the "most frequent" riders of the two choppers, which they used in traveling to Lubao, Pampanga; and Calatagan and Lipa City in Batangas, among other places. One of the choppers with identification number RP-4357 with a recorded flying time of 536.3 hours was used from January 9, 2008 to August 23, 2009, while the other chopper with ID number RP-4250 with a recorded flying time of 498.9 hours was used from October 5, 2007 to July 29, 2009. "Both [choppers were] virtually under the control and use of the former First Gentleman and his son Mikey," the DILG said in a statement. Sen. Francisco Pangilinan and several companions, as well as Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and several companions, were also found to have used the choppers in their trips. Records also showed that even congressmen used either of the choppers at least once to travel. These lawmakers included: - Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino; - former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay; - Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronaldo Singson; - Northern Samar Rep. Wilmar Lucero; and - Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona. Other riders of the PNP choppers were: - Gov. Vic Magsasay of Zambales; - Philippine Ambassador to New Guinea Bienvenido Tejano and party; - James Gaisano of the Gaisano Malls; - an events organizer from Talents Manila; - former Laguna Lake Development Authority general manager Ed Manda; - MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi; - a certain "Rey Nadal" and "Bingbong"; as well as - several celebrities and some television and movie stars. Documents showed that the two choppers were previously owned by the Asian Spirit, Inc. in 2004, leased later to the Lionair Corporation, but "mysteriously sold" by the Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) to the PNP as "brand new" in July 2009. The two choppers were delivered, after inspection by a PNP panel, on February 12, 2010. MAPTRA, reportedly owned by one Hilarion Larry B. De Vera, used to be a single proprietorship firm but was incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2009. Authorities said MAPTRA bagged the choppers deal on July 9, 2009 without submitting documents on how it was able to acquire ownership of the two helicopters. De Vera, who is already facing criminal and civil liability for the fraudulent delivery of the second hand choppers, had reportedly gone in hiding. MAPTRA sold to the PNP one brand new and two second-hand choppers worth P104.9 million intended for use by the PNP Special Action Force. It was deemed grossly disadvantageous to the government and is now the subject of an impending Senate investigation led former PNP chief and incumbent Sen. Panfilo Lacson. - KBK, GMA News