Iggy should face Senate probe, says Speaker

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. yesterday said he would prefer Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo to voluntarily testify in the Senate in its investigation into the helicopter sale to the police.

Belmonte noted Arroyo voluntarily gave a statement before the Senate by claiming that he was the lessee of the helicopters that were allegedly sold to the police as brand new.

“Iggy Arroyo made a statement in support of his brother (Jose Miguel Arroyo), and this statement was made while he’s abroad and merely read by his lawyer. If I were in his shoes I’ll go there and convince the Senate that what I’m saying is right and not just a ploy to take the heat off his brother,” Belmonte told a news conference.

Belmonte said Arroyo virtually went under the jurisdiction of the Senate after giving his statement to defend his brother over the allegations. 

“He (Iggy) is a person who voluntarily gave a statement without being compelled to do so and I think it is in his best interest that he supports that statement by showing up in the Senate,” he said.

Belmonte issued the statement after the Senate Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III sent a formal invitation to Arroyo to appear on Aug. 22 before the investigation on the anomalous sale of helicopters to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The Senate is investigating the allegations that Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, husband of the former president, sold two of the helicopters as brand new to the PNP.

Rep. Arroyo, in a statement from London early this week, said it was he, as president of the Arroyo family-owned LTA Inc., who leased five helicopters in May 2004 from LionAir.

He said his brother Mike had nothing to do with the deal and the sale of choppers to the PNP.

Belmonte said it would be better if Arroyo “backs up” his statement that he issued from London.

Belmonte however stressed the matter was really up for Arroyo to resolve.

Opposition lawmakers led by House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman vowed to protect Arroyo from being summoned by the Senate.

House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II also warned the Senate could set a dangerous precedent on inter-parliamentary courtesy if it will insist on summoning Arroyo to its congressional inquiry.

Gonzales said the rule on subpoenas or compulsion to appear “is primary as it is in the rules of each chamber in the exercise of oversight powers.”

Gonzales warned that nothing would stop the House in the future to summon senators in its investigations.