MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Ex-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was silent when arraigned on a plundering charge Monday, leaving a court to enter a not guilty plea for her.
Arroyo, 65, who now serves as a lawmaker after being president from 2001 to 2010, did not respond after the charge against her was read during arraignment before a special court, the Philippine Star reported. She has been charged with misuse of about $9 million of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office funds during her presidency.
She has previously denied any involvement in the alleged misuse of funds. Nine other former officials also have been indicted in the case.
After her court appearance, Arroyo returned to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where she is under hospital arrest, the Star reported. Arroyo suffers from a number of medical problems, including a disorder that causes abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck.
There are other corruption charges pending against the former president, but she has denied them as well.
The Arroyo case is important for current President Benigno S. Aquino III, who wants to eradicate corruption.
