Guingona presents blue ribbon findings on PNP choppers mess to Senate

The Senate panel that investigated the national police’s alleged anomalous purchase of second hand choppers two years ago has found enough evidence to hold former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and several police officers liable for graft.   According to Sen. Teofisto Guingona III on Wednesday, testimonial and documentary evidence proved that Mr. Arroyo was the real owner of the two used helicopters that were sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as brand new in 2009.    The PNP bought two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters from the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) at a higher price.  The choppers were supplied to MAPTRA by Lionair, allegedly upon orders from Mr. Arroyo who has since denied the allegation.   In a statement in August, Mr. Arroyo denied owning the choppers and even threatened to file charges against Lionair president Archibald Po for coming up with "baseless accusations" during the hearings at the Senate.   Guingona, head of the blue ribbon committee that investigated the supposed anomaly, said they found Mr. Arroyo and several members of the PNP liable for violation of Sections (3) e and g  and Section 4 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices  Act.   He specifically cited the following evidence:   

• Po testified that Mr. Arroyo bought helicopters and used his previous  company, Asian Spirit, to bring the helicopters to the Philippines. He also testified that Mr. Arroyo wanted to sell his helicopters and that when these were eventually sold to the PNP, Po himself turned over the money to the former First Gentleman.
• The pilot Claudio Gaspar pointed to the Arroyos as the most frequent users of the choppers. He also confirmed that on one occasion, Mr. Arroyo himself informed him that he would be using the chopper for the day.
• MAPTRA president Hilario de Vera testified that he was assured that the transaction will be approved because Mr. Arroyo was the owner of the helicopters
• Mr. Arroyo’s bookkeeper Rowena del Rosario never denied that she did paid Lionair for maintenance and operational expenses from 2004 to 2011.
• Lionair marketing manager Editha Solano-Juguan testified that she was the one who collected fees for the operational and maintenance expenses of the choppers from 2004 to 2011. She collected this from Rowena del Rosario, the bookkeeper of the Arroyo-owned firm LTA. She likewise said she would occasionally see Mr. Arroyo in the office.

  During previous Senate hearings, it was revealed that Mr. Arroyo originally bought five choppers, including the two that were sold to the PNP. One was destroyed in an accident while two others are still supposedly with Lionair, hence the continuous payment for operational and maintenance expenses.    Procurement rules violated   Guingona also said that their findings revealed that the choppers were bought by the PNP despite violations of the rules of procurement. He specifically cited the following evidence:  

• The PNP awarded the contract to MAPTRA, an entity that was supposedly "not [a] legally, technically, and financially capable" supplier of helicopters.
• The PNP awarded the contract to MAPTRA even if it was selling were pre-owned helicopters (service center conditioned).
• The PNP received the helicopters even if they were used and that these were not in accordance with the specifications of the Napolcom.

  The Senate blue ribbon committee had already earlier referred the same findings to the Office of the Ombudsman. An Ombudsman panel had already recommended that Mr. Arroyo and 36 other individuals be subjected under preliminary investigation for alleged violation of Section 3 (e) and (g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.   In its recommendations, the Senate blue ribbon panel said that Mr. Arroyo should be charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act along with the following:  

• Ronaldo Puno (former secretary of the DILG and chairman of Napolcom)
• Jesus Versoza (former police director general, Philippine Narional Police)
• PDIR Luizo Cristobal Ticman (member, PNP negotiation committee)
• PDIR Ronald Dulay Roderos (member, PNP negotiation committee)
• PDIR Romeo Capacillio Hilomen (member, PNP negotiation committee)
• PDIR Leocadio Salva Cruz Santiago Jr. (member, PNP negotiation committee)
• PDG Jefferson Soriano (member, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PCSUPT Herold Ubalde (member, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PDIR George Piano (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)
• PCSUPT Luis Saligumba (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)
• PCSUPT Job Nolan Antonio (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)
• PSSUPT Edgar Paatan (member, PNP inspection and acceptance committee)
• PSUPT Ermilando Villafuerte (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PSUPT Roman Loreto (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)
• Miguel Coronel (commissioner, Napolcom oversight committee)
• Oscar Valenzuela (assistant secretary, Napolcom oversight committee)
• Conrado Sumanga, Jr. (director, Napolcom oversight committee)
• Crisostomo Garcia

  On the other hand, it also recommends the filing of charges against the following for violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act:  

• Jesus Versoza
• PDIR  Luizo Cristobal Ticman (member, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PDIR Ronald Dulay Roderos (member, PNP bids and awards committee)
• Romeo Capacillio Hiloman
• PDIR Leocadio Salva Cruz Santiago Jr. (member, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PSUPT Ermilando Villafuerte (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PSUPT Roman Loreto (legal officer, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PDG Jefferson Pattaui Soriano (member, PNP bids and awards committee)
• PCSUPT Herold Ubalde (member, PNP bids and awards committee)

  But aside from the filing of charges, Guingona also recommended amending the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Government Procurement  Reform Act.   "The Blue Ribbon Committee, in submitting this report, fulfills its mandate and puts forward its desire of a truly transparent and accountable state and people," he said. — KBK/KG, GMA News