Bribery allegations against Philippines president

25/11/2008 14:22:43

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

He has testified against Mrs Arroyo in congressional hearings on an impeachment complaint filed against the President.

Radio Australia's Shirley Escalante reports former speaker Jose de Venecia's testimony in congress on the impeachment case against President Gloria Arroyo, was the first time the ex-speaker spoke in public against the president.

He said 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 $USD10 million in exchange for keeping mum 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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