Arroyo apologises to nation but denies polls fraud

The announcement increased pressure on Arroyo to step down amid opposition allegations that she conspired with the independent elections commissioner to manipulate votes in her favour.

The allegations sprang from tape recordings of a woman sounding like Arroyo talking to a man believed to be a member of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), apparently about vote-rigging.

"I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a COMELEC official," Arroyo said in a televised nationwide broadcast, breaking weeks of silence on the issue.

"My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election and it did not," she said, adding that making the call was a "lapse in judgement."

"I'm sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter," the president said.