Arroyo's Husband Dares Accuser to File Corruption Charges

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 19, 2003

Arroyo's Husband Dares Accuser to File Corruption Charges

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband on Monday dared his accuser opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson to show proof of corruption and file charges against him.

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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband on Monday dared his accuser opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson to show proof of corruption and file charges against him.

Lacson should bring to court his accusations against Jose Miguel Arroyo, President Arroyo's husband, "if he has proof," Attorney Patricia Bunye, the Arroyos' spokesperson, told reporters responding to Lacson's privilege speech delivered Monday in the Senate.

Lacson alleged that the Arroyos amassed "at least 321 million pesos (5.84 million US dollars)" in contributions from their "supporters and favor seekers," but Bunye said, "Time and again, he brings out issues in media but he has no solid evidence."

Bunye said instead of using his parliamentary immunity, Lacson should file a case against Jose Arroyo so that the latter could answer the accusations.

Under Philippine law, Lacson's expose could not be used against him since it was delivered as a "matter of personal privilege" at the Senate. Unless the accusations are brought to the proper forum where Jose Arroyo can defend himself, Bunye said, the Arroyos will just ignore the charges.

Lacson said Jose Arroyo has a 200-million-peso (3.64 million dollars) bank account with local creditor Union Bank under his alias "Jose Pidal," where funds from campaign supporters and alleged anomalous deals were funneled. The same scheme was allegedly used by jailed ex-president Joseph Estrada with the JoseVelarde account.

Lacson said the Arroyos funneled funds from anomalous contracts and from supporters to the Pidal account since the wife was still vice president of the republic.

President Arroyo said earlier on Monday that her family is willing to undergo a "lifestyle check," which she said would give her the "moral armor" to "act decisively" against corrupt government servants.

"I invite the media and the people to join me in the crusade for good governance," President Arroyo said, stressing that her family have led a life of "dignity and simplicity."

Government officials, particularly those in the military, have been placed under closed scrutiny after alleged corruption in the military sparked the uprising of junior military officers and enlisted men last July 27.

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