Mike’s US trip a ‘vacation’

He may soon face one of the biggest battles of his life. And First Gentleman Miguel "Mike" Arroyo first wants to take a breather.

Dismissing allegations that he received bribe money from a telecommunications company, Mr. Arroyo revealed yesterday that he is leaving for the United States next week for a brief vacation.

"I’m taking a leave. I’m so tired," he said in his weekly radio program. "We’ll tour America and rest a little," he added, noting that he would visit his cousins and sibling in the United States and play a round of golf with them.

Veronica Rodrigo, a former correspondence secretary of the President, accused Mr. Arroyo of receiving bribe money from the Philippine Communications Clearinghouse Inc. (PCCI) allegedly in exchange for a franchise to operate. — Paolo Romero