Arroyo rejects Manila graft charges
- 12 years ago
Former Philippines President Gloria Arroyo pleads not guilty at an anti-corruption in court in Manila on Wednesday.
She's facing charges in connection to a 329 million U.S. dollar broadband deal with a Chinese company in 2007.
The 64-year-old had already been under hospital arrest since late November on charges of electoral fraud in a lower court, and is now accused of using her position to push for approval of the agreement with China's ZTE Corp.
She was forced to scrap the contract in 2008 after a congressional inquiry showed some of her officials allegedly received kickbacks for the deal.
Arroyo's lawyer said he's confident she will be acquitted.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) GLORIA ARROYO'S LAWYER JOSE FLAMINIANO SAYING:
"She's taking everything in a stride and she knows that in the end she will be vindicated by the court."
The former president is required to wear a neck brace for a previous spinal injury.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
She's facing charges in connection to a 329 million U.S. dollar broadband deal with a Chinese company in 2007.
The 64-year-old had already been under hospital arrest since late November on charges of electoral fraud in a lower court, and is now accused of using her position to push for approval of the agreement with China's ZTE Corp.
She was forced to scrap the contract in 2008 after a congressional inquiry showed some of her officials allegedly received kickbacks for the deal.
Arroyo's lawyer said he's confident she will be acquitted.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) GLORIA ARROYO'S LAWYER JOSE FLAMINIANO SAYING:
"She's taking everything in a stride and she knows that in the end she will be vindicated by the court."
The former president is required to wear a neck brace for a previous spinal injury.
Travis Brecher, Reuters