The chief of the Philippines' Commission on Elections (Comelec) has resigned after being accused of trying to bribe another government official in order to win approval for a 330-million-US dollar broadband contract.
But Benjamin Abalos maintained his innocence and insisted that his decision to resign as Comelec chairman was intended to spare the poll body from further controversy over the deal.
'I am not admitting guilt for any wrongdoing. Neither am I giving up on my crusade to clear my name and reputation,' he said in a statement on Monday.
Last week, former socioeconomic planning secretary Romulo Neri said he was offered a bribe to help state-owned Chinese firm ZTE Corp win a broadband contract with the Philippine government.
Neri told a special Senate hearing into the scandal that Abalos had offered him the bribe.
The husband of Gloria Arroyo, president of the Philippines, has also been dragged into the controversy.
Abalos is considered an ally of the President, who has suspended the project.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said 'we respect his decision and appreciate his desire to protect his family and the Comelec from vicious politics.'
'We wish him well as he carries on his fight to clear his name,' Bunye said in a statement.
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