Former Philippine leader Arroyo pleads not guilty at trial

Former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pleaded not guilty to an electoral fraud charge today at the opening of a landmark trial that is seen as a key test of her reformist successor’s campaign to stamp out corruption.

Arroyo, president from 2001 to 2010, is accused of rigging the results of senatorial polls in 2007 to favour her candidates.