Customs chief absolves Mike Arroyo

Customs Commissioner Titus Villanueva said yesterday First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was not involved in the smuggling of rice as an official of the Philippine Consultative Assembly (PCA) had alleged.

Villanueva said investigation by his bureau showed that Arroyo did not benefit from rice smuggling.

He said the claims of PCA secretary-general Linda Olaguer that Arroyo and Lucio Co, an importer of PX goods and a known friend of former President Joseph Estrada, were engaged in rice smuggling, were far from the truth.

Villanueva admitted that Arroyo did call him several months ago but to inquire about medical equipment which the bureau could donate to his medical program for the poor. — Cecille Suerte Felipe