MANILA (AFP) - – Former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo on Wednesday personally responded to the first of many corruption complaints being readied against her, saying there was no sign she was guilty.
Arroyo, who stepped down in June amid widespread allegations of graft, filed a counter-affidavit at the Justice Department, replying to a subpoena from prosecutors looking into an accusation against her.
"By the allegations of the complaint, I am not even alleged to have amassed, accumulated or acquired any wealth, and particularly, ill-gotten wealth," Arroyo said in her counter-affidavit.
The black-dressed Arroyo smiled to reporters but declined to comment, referring all questions to her lawyer.
The complaint filed by a tax informant accuses Arroyo and several officials of depriving the government of taxes from the 1.2-billion-peso (27.3-million-dollar) sale of a government lot to a private developer in 2007.
This was the first time Arroyo has faced such a complaint since she lost her legal immunity after stepping down as president. However she is now a congresswoman and still wields considerable political influence.
President Benigno Aquino, who succeeded Arroyo after winning the May elections by a landslide, has set up a "truth commission" to investigate her alleged crimes in preparation for possible charges.
Arroyo, who was president for nine years, was dogged by allegations of widespread corruption and of cheating to win the 2004 election.
She has consistently denied any wrongdoing and avoided three impeachment attempts against her, although this was due to her party's control of parliament at the time.
