Cayetano to Iggy: Don’t hide behind parliamentary courtesy, attend Senate chopper probe

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano challenged Representative Ignacio ‘Iggy’ Arroyo to stop hiding behind the protection of parliamentary courtesy and attend the Senate probe on the Philippine National Police (PNP) helicopter controversy to prove his recent claim and contention.

“Let’s not make this a matter of technicality. Many congressmen themselves personally went to hearings in the past to clear their names. If Congressman Iggy has something to say, he can go to the Senate to do so,” he said.

The senator issued this challenge in response to the congressman’s repeated statements to the media stating that it was he, not his brother former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who leased the helicopters owned by LTA Corp. to the PNP.

Cayetano also called on the members of Congress to urge their colleague to appear in the ongoing Senate probe and stop making his case before the media without presenting any evidence.

The minority leader assured both the members of Congress and the Arroyo brothers that Rep. Arroyo will be treated with the utmost respect as the Senate’s goal is only to expose the truth.

“Personally, I won’t treat him like a witness. I’ll treat him as a Congressman – even give him access to the microphone at any point in time in the hearing if necessary,” he said.

Cayetano stressed that both Houses must not allow technicalities to slow down investigations on the main issue: who is the real owner of the helicopters sold to the PNP?

The minority leader has suggested that brothers Mike and Iggy Arroyo sign a waiver to allow the Senate to look into various documents regarding their financial dealings to refute allegations about them.

“Allow the government to open your financial records and bank accounts. If we don’t see anything to prove these accusations, you’re innocent. But if we do see something, be man enough to face it,” he said.

“If they’re innocent, they will be able to prove it. Kung walang kinurakot, walang dapat itago at hindi dapat matakot,” he said.