Sandiganbayan OKs Mike Arroyo's travel to Japan, HK

Two Sandiganbayan divisions have granted the request of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo to stay in Japan and Hong Kong for more than a week late this month.

In separate decisions, the anti-graft court's Fourth and Seventh Divisions allowed Arroyo to stay in Tokyo on July 20 to 25 and in Hongkong on July 25 to 28.

“Over the objection of the prosecution, the instant motion is hereby GRANTED, subject to the usual terms and conditions imposed by the Court,” the Seventh Division said in its ruling.

Mr. Arroyo is facing graft charges before the Seventh Division in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of overpriced helicopters by the Philippine National Police in 2009 during the term of his wife, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The case was originally handled by the Fifth Division, but was raffled off to the newly-created Seventh Division in May.

Mr. Arroyo, meanwhile, is also facing graft charges before the Fourth Division in connection with the alleged anomalous national broadband deal worth $329 million entered with Chinese company, ZTE Corporation, in 2007.

He is out on bail for all the cases.

Mr. Arroyo, in his motion filed on June 20, did not cite any reason for his intended travel but maintained that he has no intention of fleeing the country to evade the cases as his family is based in the Philippines.

Mrs. Arroyo is currently under hospital arrest for plunder charges in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million worth of intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during her term as president.

In granting his motion, both divisions required Mr. Arroyo to post a travel bond of P90,000 cash, but since he has yet to withdraw a travel bond of P90,000 that he posted on April 25, 2012,  the court said “the same shall answer for the travel bond required therein.”

Mr. Arroyo was also directed to personally appear before the respective Office of the Clerk of Court of both divisions five days after his return to the country, and to bring with him his passport bearing the stamps of his departure from and entry to the Philippines for proper authentication.

The court said that even if Mr. Arroyo failed to undertake his requested trip, he must still present himself before the Clerk of Court not later than five days after July 28. The court also reminded him that the itinerary of his travel must cover Tokyo and Hongkong only “and not any other place.”

“That any material misrepresentation made in the accused’s Motion for Leave to Travel Abroad shall be punished as contempt of this Court and shall be dealt with accordingly,” both divisions’ rulings warned.

“Any violation of the terms and conditions contained in this resolution shall be sufficient ground for this court to order the forfeiture of travel bond, as well as to cause the issuance of warrant for his arrest,” they added.

Last March, Mr. Arroyo was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to stay also in Tokyo and Hongkong for six days. Prior to that he was also allowed to stay in the same locations for 10 days, from January 30 to February 8. —KBK, GMA News