MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has allowed former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to leave the country and travel to Japan and Hong Kong for a week.
In granting Arroyo's motion to leave to travel abroad,the anti-graft court's Fifth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Roland Jurado, told Arroyo that he must present to the tribunal a photocopy of his passport five days after his return to the country.
If Arroyo fails to return to the Philippines to attend the court proceedings, the trial of the case will proceed as scheduled.
Arroyo, through his lawyers, earlier requested the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel to Tokyo, Japan and Hong Kong from October 25 to November 2.
Arroyo is facing graft charges regarding the sale of alleged overpriced helicopters to the Philippine National Police in 2009.