Mike A denies he’s in self-exile in HK

HONG KONG (AP) — President Arroyo’s scandal-plagued husband denied that he has gone into self-exile, but said he plans to go abroad after returning to Manila from Hong Kong soon, a newspaper reported yesterday.

Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo arrived in Hong Kong Thursday, a day after the embattled Philippine leader said her husband would leave the country to allow her to fight vote-rigging accusations at home.

The First Gentleman has been accused of taking kickbacks from operators of jueteng, a popular illegal numbers game in the Philippines. He’s become the target of a Senate inquiry, though no firm evidence has emerged. The president’s son and brother-in-law are also accused.

He told the South China Morning Post that news reports saying that he has gone into self-exile were "confused." But he then said he would stay in Hong Kong "for a few days," return to Manila and "go abroad again." He did not say how long he would be in Manila for before heading overseas or where he planned to go.

"I do not know. We are here on a private visit," he was quoted as saying in the Post.

Mike Arroyo, a lawyer from a prominent family, is staying at a luxury hotel in Hong Kong with his youngest son, Diosdado, daughter-in-law, Maria Victoria, and granddaughter Eva Victoria, the report said.

Calls to Noel Novicio, the vice consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, went unanswered Saturday. He confirmed Friday that Mike Arroyo was in Hong Kong for a private visit, but said the consulate was not informed about details of his trip.

In Manila, sources at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said Mr. Arroyo and his party are returning to the country aboard a Philippine Airlines flight that will touch down at the airport at 7:30 tonight.

Tomorrow, the First Gentleman is expected to appear before the Sandiganbayan which has issued a subpoena for him to appear on request of lawyers of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

The President acknowledged Monday that she had talked to an election official about protecting a million-vote victory margin during last year’s presidential election. She apologized for "a lapse of judgment," but denied rigging the vote.