Former
Philippine president enters plea on the first day of a landmark trial.
Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo has pleaded not guilty to an electoral fraud charge at the opening of a
landmark trial.
Arroyo was escorted early on Thursday under
tight security to a Manila courtroom from a military hospital where she is
being detained while undergoing treatment for a spine ailment.
"Not guilty," she said in court when
asked to respond. If convicted, she could face life in prison.
After her appearance, which lasted only about
10 minutes, she was escorted back to the hospital.
She wore a neck brace and even managed to pose
for souvenir photos with people in the courtroom, smiling and shaking hands
with them.
Court spokeswoman Felda Domingo said the trial
is historic because "the votes of the people were sabotaged and the
accused is a former president".
Arroyo was president from 2001 to 2010. The
case against her involves senatorial polls in 2007; she is accused of rigging
the results to favour her candidates.
Her husband, Miguel Arroyo, called the case
against his wife an injustice.
The case has emerged as a key test for her
successor, President Benigno Aquino III, who has promised to root out
corruption and said that no one should be allowed to evade justice.
The electoral sabotage charge is the first of
several criminal cases being prepared against Arroyo.
Agencies
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