While the Air Force finds it too expensive to add one more C-130 so that it would have at least two cargo planes in working condition, Malacañang has acquired two helicopters worth P1.4 billion, or P700 million each, for use by President Arroyo.

Members of the House appropriations committee learned of the acquisition yesterday when they compared the P4.3-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) this year and its proposed P2.9-billion outlay for 2009.

They told reporters that the difference of P1.4 billion between this year’s and the 2009 OP budgets represents the purchase price of the two presidential helicopters.

The new acquisitions are in addition to several choppers and other aircraft comprising the presidential airlift wing available to Mrs. Arroyo.

In contrast, the Air Force could not buy a replacement for its C-130 transport plane that crashed in the Davao gulf more than a month ago.

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