Senator links Arroyo to corruption

Senator links Arroyo to corruption

PHILIPPINES: An opposition senator accused Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday of misusing public funds for her own election campaign, expanding upon graft accusations that previously focused on her husband.

The accusations by Senator Panfilo Lacson come ahead of elections next May in which Arroyo has decided to run for a fresh term, reversing an earlier pledge not to do so.

Lacson also intends to run for president, which has stirred suspicions that his statements may be politically motivated.

"It is my belief that corruption reaches the highest level of this government," said Lacson, a former national police chief and close ally of former president Joseph Estrada.

Lacson, who faces arrest after the Supreme Court ordered that he be retried for an eight-year-old murder case, said the president had failed to declare millions of pesos in campaign contributions.

He said former Manila congressman Mark Jimenez had admitted giving at least six checks totaling 38 million pesos (US$695,970) to Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

"These checks were personally given not only to Mr. Jose Miguel Arroyo, but also to Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself," Lacson said. -- Reuters