Former Philippines President Gloria Arroyo pleads not guilty at an anti-corruption in court in Manila on Wednesday.<br/> <br />She's facing charges in connection to a 329 million U.S. dollar broadband deal with a Chinese company in 2007.<br/> <br />The 64-year-old had already been under hospital arrest since late November on charges of electoral fraud in a lower court, and is now accused of using her position to push for approval of the agreement with China's ZTE Corp.<br/> <br />She was forced to scrap the contract in 2008 after a congressional inquiry showed some of her officials allegedly received kickbacks for the deal.<br/> <br />Arroyo's lawyer said he's confident she will be acquitted.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) GLORIA ARROYO'S LAWYER JOSE FLAMINIANO SAYING:<br/> <br />"She's taking everything in a stride and she knows that in the end she will be vindicated by the court."<br/> <br />The former president is required to wear a neck brace for a previous spinal injury.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
