Palace to file 2 graft cases vs Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The government will file at least two major corruption complaints against the former president before the end of the year, senior officials said Tuesday.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the credibility of President Benigno Aquino III's administration hinges on its ability to prosecute former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other officials accused of corruption.

He said authorities were building "airtight" cases and avoiding any leak of information to ensure convictions, but he declined to give details about any cases that may be filed likely before Christmas.

Another Cabinet official, however, said at least two major complaints were being prepared against Arroyo. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Aquino, son of revered pro-democracy icons, won with a landslide victory in May last year that was partly credited to his promise to battle endemic corruption in this Southeast Asian nation of 94 million people.

Arroyo, his predecessor, faces a number of corruption allegations stemming from her nine years in power. She has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.

Abad said the government was determined to stamp out corruption at every level of government.

"We know who the small guys are," Abad said at new conference. But he added "we want to get into the roots of the problems and hit at the principals."