President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo left the country for Hong Kong again Wednesday to avoid public view amid the controversies hounding Arroyo's administration, a local radio reported.

According to the radio dzMM, the First Gentleman Arroyo was seen off by his daughter Luli and son Dato.

Mr. Arroyo, who was alleged to benefit from illegal gambling " jueteng", left for Hong Kong last Thursday with his youngest son Dato, but returned after a four-day there.

Earlier report said that the First Gentleman might go to New Jersey, the United States, for indefinite time to help his wife clear scandals about election fraud and illegal gambling benefit.

On the perspective that Mr. Arroyo attempts to avoid jueteng investigation, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye earlier said that he would come back and answer the allegations against them when summoned by authorities.

"They cannot say this is flight from guilt or any responsibility because he can always come back when invited to (a hearing). The most important thing for him now is to be away from intrigues," Bunye said.

With her credibility on the line, the embattled president announced last week that her controversial husband chose to go into foreign exile to avoid conflict of interest issues that could further undermine her troubled presidency.

Arroyo also complained that her husband's "contributions to health care and sports development have been the object of pillory, especially by my political enemies, who have been trying to distract me from fulfilling my reform agenda as president."

Source: Xinhua