Police brass to explain purchase of ‘brand new’ used choppers
By Jonathan de Santos
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
POLICE officials are expected to explain to senators on Thursday why they bought two second-hand helicopters when the contract required brand-new units.
According to a list released by the office of Senator Teofisto Guingona III, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Raul Bacalzo and other police generals are expected at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing Thursday morning.
Among them are Police Director Leocadio Santiago Jr., who was in command of the elite PNP Special Action Force that received the helicopters. Also invited are Police Directors Romeo Hilomen, George Paino, and Ronald Roderos who either handled the bidding or the negotiations for the purchase. Former deputy director general Jefferson Soriano has also been invited.
Jesus Versoza, the former PNP chief who approved the purchase, has also been invited to the hearing.
If witnesses and resource speakers fail to come, the Senate can summon them and cite them for contempt if they again fail to attend.
Senators Guingona and Lacson filed a resolution this month to hold an inquiry on a purchase in 2009 of three Robinson Raven helicopters for the SAF. They said that according to flight records, two of the helicopters had flown for around two years before the PNP bought them.
Sun.Star reported earlier Thursday that lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband, would be summoned by the committee over allegations that he was the previous owner of the helicopters.
The guest list released to the media did not include his name, however.
Guingona told Sun.Star in a text message that it would be premature to summon Arroyo. “Let’s wait for the events to unfold in the hearing,” he said.
On July 5, Lacson said “initial findings” indicate the helicopters may have been previously owned by the Arroyos.
Mr. Arroyo denied this on July 7. He said having his family dragged into the P105-million helicopter purchase was just “an excuse to malign our name.”
He said “the public should be wary of statements coming from a former fugitive from justice.” Arroyo was referring to Lacson’s disappearance for more than a year after he was ordered arrested for suspected involvement in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case.
A government statement released July 19 listed the Arroyo family as frequent users of two Robinson Raven helicopters that were later sold to the PNP as brand-new units. It said flight records for helicopters RP-4250 and RP-4375 showed the Arroyo children, notably Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Representative Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, also used the helicopters from 2007 to 2009.
Based on documents submitted to the Local Government department, the two choppers were previously owned by Asian Spirit, Inc. in 2004, leased later to Lion Air Inc. and then mysteriously sold by Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. (Maptra) to the PNP as brand new in July 2009.
The two choppers were delivered, after inspection by the PNP, on February 12, 2010.
Maptra, reportedly owned by one Hilarion “Larry” De Vera, used to be a single proprietorship firm but was incorporated under the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2009. The firm bagged the negotiated deal. They did that without submitting documents on how they were able to acquire the two choppers a month after incorporation.
Representatives of Asian Spirit, Lion Air, and Maptra are expected at the hearing as well. (Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/27/police-brass-explain-purchase-brand-new-used-choppers-169393
Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce. Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption. Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.
At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink. Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest. With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.
Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines. Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines
To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event. The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision. Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service. Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party. A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.
There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin. Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.yatsleisure.com
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions
www.YatsRestaurant.com
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion
www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
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