(SPOT.ph) After former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo denied accusations early in July that he sold overpriced used helicopters to the Philippine National Police, businessman Archibald Po signed an affidavit confirming otherwise, reports Newsbreak. Po, who is president of Lion Air Inc., said he was the one who supplied Arroyo with helicopters.

According to the affidavit, Po advised Arroyo in 2003 to buy his own choppers since he had lent all of his to the late Fernando Poe Jr., his wife's opponent during the 2004 presidential elections. Po then supplied the former First Gentleman with five Robinson R44 Raven helicopters and registered them under the name “Asian Spirit.” In 2006, Arroyo informed Po that he was selling the choppers for $350,000 each. “I commented that the price was on the high side for pre-owned helicopters, but FG said that was the price he was willing to sell the helicopters,” stated Po, who was told that a buyer was already lined up. He later learned that the buyers were the PNP.

Arroyo’s alleged involvement in the overpriced choppers controversy was revealed in early July by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who said the aircrafts were sold forcibly. In an ABS-CBN report, Arroyo maintained his innocence. “Neither I nor the former President sold (helicopters) to the PNP. LTA Inc, which we own, had a Bolkow helicopter which was sold not to the PNP but to another private company (Fusion Link, Inc.).” He added that the scandal was an attempt to smear his family’s name and to cover up the “lackadaisical performance” of the current administration.

For more on this story, log on to Newsbreak, ABS-CBN News, and GMA News.