Permission to travel granted to ex-cop in overpriced choppers case

Luizo Ticman

Retired Police Director Luizo Ticman, among those accused in the overpriced purchase of helicopters for the Philippine National Police (PNP), has been allowed by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to travel to Australia from May 28 to June 7.

The retired police official had beforehand informed the anti-graft court of an invitation he received as an incumbent Rotary District Governor to attend the Rotary International Convention at the Sydney Olympic Park.

On their part, the Fifth Division reasoned that it allowed Ticman to make the trip, as he had already been granted travel abroad on another occasion, and that he dutifully with the court’s conditions.

In this regard, the anti-graft court reminded Ticman that he must report to their office within five days upon his return, otherwise “his further petitions for authority to travel will be denied…”

Furthermore, anti-graft court warned that should Ticman fail to return to the Philippines, it ”shall be deemed as waiver of his right to be present in the hearings/trial of his cases and trial will proceed as scheduled in his absence.”

Ticman was one of 22 persons, including former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and retired PNP Director General JesusVerzosa, charged before the Sandiganbayan for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019).

They were accused by the office of the Ombudsman of conspiring in passing off used helicopters as new, and selling these to the PNP between 2009 to 2010 for an exorbitant P104,985,000.

According to the Ombudsman, the sale was overpriced by P34,632,187.50, thereby causing “undue injury” to the government and the PNP.