The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has allowed former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to travel to Japan and Hong Kong by end of the month and towards new year.
“Over the objection of the prosecution, the instant motion is granted subject to the usual terms and conditions imposed by the Court,” the anti-graft court said.
In his travel motion filed earlier at the anti-graft court’s division, Arroyo said he planned to leave the country from Dec. 26, 2018 to Jan. 6, 2019.
“The Honorable Court has, for many times before, permitted him to travel and he has always returned here as it is here where his family and business interests are, hence, he has no reason not to return. He is, thus, not a flight risk,” Arroyo said in his motion.
From the Philippines, Arroyo will fly to Japan from Dec. 6, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2019 where he will be billeted at the Oakwood Premier Hotel Tokyo.
While in Hong Kong, Arroyo will stay at the Shangri-La in Kowloon for the rest of his trip from January 1, to 6.
Arroyo said he will abide by the rules of the anti-graft court, such as he will present himself to the division clerk of court within five days after his return to the Philippines.
Arroyo is facing graft charges at the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division owing to alleged irregularities in the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s purchase of two helicopters in 2009.
The Ombudsman accused Arroyo and 19 others, including former National Police chief Jesus Verzosa, of causing “undue injury” to the government amounting to P34.6 million when the second-hand helicopters were sold to the PNP as brand new.