FORMER First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was in a fighting mood when he returned yesterday from Hong Kong, threatening to file charges against a businessman who claimed that he owned the used helicopters sold as brand new to the Philippine National Police.

He also vowed to question the government’s decision to place him in the Immigration watchlist.

“To my detractors, I’m back. You should be ashamed for peddling lies to the public while I was away,” Arroyo said after landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

He said he will file a complaint for perjury against businessman Archibald Po, who told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last week that the former First Gentleman owned the second-hand choppers sold to the PNP.

“I do not own those helicopters sold to PNP. I did not purchase the choppers from Po. I will not allow him to use my name to extricate himself from the criminal acts he has done,” Arroyo said in a statement.

He deplored the move of the Department of Justice to include him in the BI’s watch list, saying it violates his right to travel.

“It is now obvious to all of us that the authorities in power have placed the highest priority in a coordinated effort, whatever it takes, to harass the previous administration for imagined transgressions. This administration is hell-bent on making our lives miserable, by resorting to trial by publicity. It is sad that we are being conveniently subjected to bad publicity, instead of properly referring whatever charges that may be brought against us to the proper courts,” he said.

His lawyer, Inocencio Ferrer, said the issuance of a watch list order against Arroyo is illegal.

“There’s no case filed against him so why issue a watch list order? His family is here. In our petition, there is no basis for this. It is against the Bill of Rights. He should be allowed to enter and leave the country,” Ferrer said.

However, the Department of Justice was fazed, saying it will also include former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the immigration watch list.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Mrs. Arroyo should have been placed in the watch list earlier, but she deferred giving an order when the Pampanga lawmaker was hospitalized.

“We were considering placing her under the watch list order but sinuspend ko na lang muna nung na-hospitalize siya for humanitarian reason,” she told reporters.

Mrs. Arroyo is facing several plunder complaints.

Although de Lima does not consider Mrs. Arroyo a flight risk, she explained that she can escape prosecution by leaving the country.

She said Mr. Arroyo can question before any forum his inclusion in the immigration watch list.

“That is his right or prerogative but I stand by the issuance of the watch list. That was the request of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and per existing Department Circular of the DoJ, it is perfectly within the prerogative and power of the secretary of justice to issue the order,” she said.