Mike A dares Ping: Prove P4 B in banks

MANILA, Philippines - Former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo cried foul yesterday over Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s allegations that he and his late brother Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo have a total of P4 billion in hidden bank accounts.

Arroyo said Lacson’s allegations were meant to create another scandal and destroy his family.

Arroyo said the allegation was meant to pit Iggy’s estranged wife Alicia and his companion of four years – Grace Ibuna – against each other by leading them to believe that his brother left a fortune.

Reports said Alicia and Grace are battling over custody of the remains of Iggy, who died in London last week of a heart attack.

“That’s foul and slanderous. There’s no such account. As my lawyer said, if there’s such money, he (Lacson) can have it all by himself,” Arroyo said.

“He (Lacson) has no respect for the dead,” he added.

If it was true that Lacson has documents to prove his claims, Arroyo said the senator should immediately reveal them before the public.

“Why doesn’t he bring those (documents) out in the open? Why does he have to conduct another investigation? He just wants to create another controversy,” he said.

Lacson on Wednesday said the two accounts are in one bank, and that these are still active.

The accounts are no longer in the names of “Jose Pidal” but those of Mike’s and Iggy’s, Lacson added.

“There was really no closure (on the issue),” he said. “There really has to be closure, but not at this time because Iggy has yet to be buried.”

Lacson said he intended to revive the Jose Pidal probe at the Senate with the new evidence in his possession.

Malacañang expressed support for the investigation of the Senate into the reported bank accounts of the Arroyo brothers as alleged by Lacson.

“While we understand that it’s a private time of grief for the Arroyo family, there are unfortunately two things that can never be buried: truth and accountability. It is perfectly within the power of Senator Lacson as a legislator, as a senator, to initiate that investigation,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing.

“If and when we are called, our officials will provide what is required of them – we are always like that. If there is any investigation in the Senate or the House, our officials arrive when called and we bring the documents needed for our testimony,” Valte said.

Bank deposits are protected by bank secrecy laws but Valte said, “that depends on the subpoena, if it will be granted.” – Aurea Calica