PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />The Philippines former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives at court to face charges of election fraud.<br/> <br />She turned up to the court in Manila on Thursday surrounded by tight security.<br/> <br />Arroyo, accompanied by her husband, was wearing a neck brace because of a spinal injury.<br/> <br />She's accused of vote rigging in 2007 election in the south in favour of her allies.<br/> <br />Arroyo, who was president for nine years until 2010, denies the charge.<br/> <br />Her lawyer says he's confident she'll be cleared when the case comes to trial.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Ferdinand Topacio, Arroyo's lawyer, saying (Filipino/English):<br/> <br />"Mrs Arroyo personally stood and pleaded not guilty. We're very hopeful. This arraignment is the first step towards acquittal so that this case will move forward."<br/> <br />Outside the court supporters with placards and banners protested Arroyo's innocence.<br/> <br />Pre-trial hearings are due to start in April.<br/> <br />Inquiries are still underway over further allegations of fraud involving the 2004 presidential election and corruption within her administration.<br/> <br />Paul Chapman, Reuters
