MANILA,
April 12 (PNA) -- Former First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel "Mike"
Arroyo has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel for one month to
seven countries in Europe in May.
In
his motion filed before the Sandiganbayan's Seventh Division, Arroyo asked
permission to travel to Spain, France, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, Czech Republic
and Italy from May 15 to 17, 2017.
He
said that he was previously allowed to travel to other countries and that he
never failed to return to the Philippines on the scheduled date.
Arroyo
added that his family was also in the Philippines, as well as his business
interest.
"Accused-movant
humbly submits that, while facing charges before this Honorable Court, he
continuously enjoys the right to be presumed innocent until proven
otherwise," Arroyo's motion said.
Arroyo
is facing graft charges for his alleged involvement in the irregularity in the
purchase made by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of two helicopters in
2009.
The
Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has filed graft charges against Arroyo and
19 others, including former PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, for the
purchase of Php 34.6-million worth of "second-hand" helicopters which
were sold to th
