Arroyo's husband under investigation

Ms Arroyo's husband, right, denies the allegations

The husband of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo is to be investigated over allegations that he took a bribe of nearly $1m (50 million pesos).

We must be like Caesar's wife... above suspicion

President Gloria Arroyo

A former secretary to the president alleges lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo took the money to try to sway the government into giving a telecommunications company a franchise deal.

He strongly denies any wrongdoing.

Mrs Arroyo said she fully supported the investigation by the ombudsman, adding that she had vetoed the telecoms deal.

The president says she has investigated

"We will have to get to the bottom of things ... no ifs, no buts," said President Arroyo. "The truth is that I vetoed the franchise, I did not recall the veto and the veto will remain.

"Nonetheless, we must be like Caesar's wife and we must be above suspicion."

Trip

Mr Arroyo, nicknamed Mike, left for the United States on a private visit on Thursday, and is due to return next week.

"I did conduct my own internal investigation and I know ... who are probably involved, but it's not for me to say that it's not my husband, let somebody else say it," the president said,

Ms Arroyo came to power in January after huge street protests against the former president Joseph Estrada.

Mr Estrada now faces trial on charges of corruption and economic plunder, which is punishable by life imprisonment or death.