Mike Arroyo challenges lawyer to “settle outside”

Mike Arroyo took the witness stand this morning in the hearing of the libel case he filed against Malaya Publisher Jake Macasaet and business editor Rosario Galang.

A reporter who was in the courtroom said, Arroyo, in a white barong, was arrogant as ever. In the course of the cross examination, Arroyo challenged Macasaet’s lawyer, Paul Arias , “Let’s settle this outside.”

Arias replied, “I’m willing to oblige you.”

Arroyo later apologized to the court for his “outburst.”

What did Arroyo mean when he said “Let’s settle this outside?” Was he challenging the lawyer to a fisftfight? After the hearing, he approached Arias and apologized.

Arroyo’s chief of staff, Juris Soliman, was expelled from the courtroom for making loud remarks whenever she didn’t like Arias’ questions.

Below are the two columns of Macasaet which are the basis of Arroyo’s libel suit:

First Couple’s idea of charity
Business Circuit,Malaya
July 9,2004

Weeks after the elections, a kind-hearted man tried to get in touch with Mike Arroyo in the hope of getting assistance for Rowena Juno, sister of a member of the Presidential Security Guard.

Juno has been in excruciating pain at the V. Luna Medical Center, suffering from brain cancer.

The executive assistant of Mike Arroyo promised P100,000 but the money never came. In the end the matter was referred to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Before that, another person called up somebody, presumed to handle money in the office of President Arroyo. He was told that “we have no money.”

The request was also referred to the PCSO.

Ms. Juno spends an estimated P50,000 a day in the faint hope of getting well. But she has run out of money.

The story here is that Mike Arroyo is trying to build a name for charity. Now that the elections are over, he would not even part with any amount for the sister of a PSG member. Neither would the President draw some money from her Special Fund which is not subject to audit.

Politicians are the most charitable people on this planet while they are campaigning. After they win, they become tight-fisted. And the money may not even be theirs.

Thank you, Atty. Arroyo
Business Circuit, Malaya
july 13, 2004

Our small effort to get the attention of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo paid off handsomely. We said that there is this Rowena Juno, sister of a member of the Presidential Security Group who is confined at the V. Luna Hospital suffering from brain cancer.

A friend of hers called up the Office of the President for help but she was turned down although the request was referred to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

A similar attempt was made with a top assistant of the First Gentleman. The assistant promised P100,000 but the money never came. It turned out that the request was also referred by the assistant to the PCSO.

That got us to saying that since the First Gentleman promised to stay away from the powers of his wife and that he will devote his time to charity and sports, it should not be difficult for him to provide assistance to a sister of the person who helps secure the lives of the First Family.

Quite promptly, the First Gentleman sent somebody to V. Luna to inquire what Ms. Juno needs. Money, of course. But there could be other things that the patient might need. I suppose the First Gentleman’s charitable heart will take care of that, too.

Only problem is – if we have to set modesty aside – Attorney Arroyo moved only after he was told that we wrote about the poor girl’s pitiful situation. Suppose we had not reported it, would he have sent somebody to V. Luna to inquire about Ms. Juno’s needs?

I guess not. But I am personally grateful to the First Gentleman for his quick response. There are hundreds of cases reasonably similar to that of Ms. Juno. We hope we would not have to report them.