MANILA, Philippines – The alleged mastermind of a corruption scandal that ensnared some of the Philippines' most powerful politicians proclaimed her innocence Thursday (November 7th) as she appeared at a highly charged Senate inquiry wearing a bulletproof vest.

Janet Lim Napoles is accused of conspiring with members of parliament to syphon off about 10 billion pesos ($230m) in government funds in a complex fraud operation that lasted for many years.

Government prosecutors have said three sitting senators, five former congressmen and five ex-government agency chiefs were involved in the scam, which triggered widespread outrage about deep-rooted corruption within the nation's ruling class.

"That is not true. It is all lies," Napoles told the nationally televised Senate hearing.

Napoles was taken from her detention centre in a convoy guarded by rifle-toting police commandos. She was warned during the Senate proceedings she had good reason to fear being killed.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said the senators accused of conspiring with Napoles were now hoping to kill her to ensure she does not testify against them.