Filipino-Chinese businessmen have denied allegations that they contributed millions of dollars used to fund the failed coup against President Gloria Arroyo, a local paper said.

Reports said that Filipino-Chinese businessmen from Cebu and Bohol contributed $5 million while Manila-based businessmen gave $6 million and those from Mindanao $6 million. Mark Jimenez, a friend of Estrada wanted by the U.S. government for wire fraud and illegal campaign contributions, allegedly gave $9 million.

Jimenez told the Inquirer yesterday: "I have always believed in the legality and integrity of President Gloria Arroyo's administration and would do no harm to the government."

Bayan, a leftist group, called for Jimenez to be disqualified as Manila's congressional candidate. Lee Peng Wee, from Mindanao, known as an Estrada negotiator during the Abu Sayyaf hostage crisis in Jolo last year, said: "God knows I am not involved."

John Young, 57, another businessman in Cebu, said: "I am willing to go to jail for the rest of my life, if they have even just a little proof of my involvement. If they don't, they should also be prepared to go to jail."

Young and other Chinese businessmen Douglas Lu Ym, Alberto and Ricky Cagang are suspected funders from central Philippines, the funds allegedly raised by David Lim, a tycoon, whose brother Peter and Willy Lim are identified as rice and corn smugglers.

Wellington 'Willy' Lim, said: "The real fundraisers of the alleged coup might have used my name and that of my brothers to keep their identities hidden. We have not assisted opposition senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson."

But Lim admitted he and his brothers were close friends of Lacson when he was Cebu's Metropolitan District Command chief in the early 90s. The Lim brothers are known as importers and dealers in surplus vehicles, and owners of nightclubs and karaoke bars in Cebu City. Cebu Congressman Antonio Cuenco alleged that Peter Lim was a drug lord in an exposé in 1997.

"Businessmen will not part with the money that easily because they will suspect the money will just be pocketed," explained Young, also from Cebu.

He said he had "no business relationship" with either Estrada or Lacson. At the same time, the Legend Hotels International Corporation, based in Manila and Subic, said William Go, another alleged coup funder, is not a co-owner of the company.

There were no reactions from other Chinese businessmen based in Manila who allegedly supported the coup such as Henry Lim, owner of Steniel Paper Corporation and Sebastian Chua, owner of Star Paper Corporation.