MANILA, Philippines -- Former Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on Monday to graft charges over the botched $329-million national broadband network contract with China’s ZTE Corp.
Mendoza, who suffered a stroke, arrived in a wheelchair with his lawyer for his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division.
His son, Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza, was also with him.
Mendoza’s counsel, Alexander Poblador, told the court his client would like to enter a not guilty plea since he could not speak audibly on account of the stroke.
“He is still recovering,” Poblador said, adding that despite his condition, Mendoza insisted he attend the arraignment.
Poblador said Mendoza is undergoing therapy at St. Luke’s Bonifacio Global City.
“He can walk with some assistance, with the use of a crutch he can do that,” he said.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband, Jose Miguel, and former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos had earlier also pleaded not guilty on their arraignment for the same charges.source: interaksyon.com