Sandigan OKs Mike A’s Taiwan trip

MANILA, Philippines — Former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo is all set for another trip to Taiwan amid his pending graft cases before the Sandiganbayan.

In a resolution dated Jan. 23 and released to media yesterday, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted Arroyo’s request to travel to Taipei from Feb. 2 to 6.

“Over the objection of the prosecution, the motion is hereby granted, subject to the usual terms and conditions imposed by the court,” the resolution read.

Arroyo, husband of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is facing four counts of graft in connection with the sale of allegedly overpriced helicopters to the Philippine National Police in 2009.

He did not indicate in his petition the reason for his trip, but assured the court that he will return since his “family and business interests are here.”

Arroyo will stay at the West Gate Hotel Ximending in Zhonghua Road, Wanhua District in Taipei for the duration of his trip.

The court ordered him to return to the country not later than Feb. 6.

The Sandiganbayan allowed Arroyo to travel to Japan and Hong Kong last December.

He also went to Germany, France and Spain in 2017.