THE Department of Justice yesterday lifted the travel restraint it slapped against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who is facing a legislative inquiry into his alleged part in alleged anomalous transactions, particularly the “PNP choppers” mess.

Preempting a Supreme Court on the legality of the watch list order, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima lifted the WLO against Arroyo following a formal letter from Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III.

De Lima saidt “it appearing that the purpose for which the watchlist order (WLO No. 2011-410) was issued no longer exists, the subject WLO is hereby lifted insofar as it affects Atty. Arroyo.”

Also, De Lima ordered the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to delete Arroyo’s name from the Bureau’s watchlist “unless he (Arroyo) is the subject of another WLO in another case or cases.”

The Supreme Court recently issued a temporary restraining order stopping the DoJ from implementing its order placing Arroyo under the immigration’s watch list order.

Voting unanimously, the high court in an en banc hearing voted to issue the TRO based on the initial relief sought by Arroyo in his petition challenging the DoJ’s watch list order.

The SC noted that the DoJ might have violated Arroyo’s right to travel when it issued the order.

The high court will still determine with finality whether or not the order is legal, in its next hearings.

Arroyo was implicated in the alleged anomalies hounding Philippine National Police’s purchase of helicopters in 2009.