Former ally accuses Philippines president of graft

25/11/2008 08:07:49

A former speaker of the Philippines House of Representatives and one-time ally of President Gloria Arroyo has accused the president of bribery.

Former speaker Jose de Venecia has testified against Mrs Arroyo in congressional hearings in the latest impeachment complaint filed against the president.

Mr de Venecia's testimony in congress on the impeachment case against President Arroyo is the first time the ex-speaker has spoken-out in public against the president.

He says the Arroyo government tried to bribe him to put off support for the impeachment complaint against the president.

Mr de Venecia also revealed that Mrs Arroyo's allies offered his son tens of millions of dollars in exchange for keeping quiet on a questionable telecommunications deal pushed by the government.

The ex-speaker and six other congressman testified against President Arroyo and accused her of bribery, corruption, violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust.

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