Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has denied wrongdoing in his first public remarks since a government prosecutor accused him of corruption in the biggest political crisis of his six years in office.
Opposition politicians expressed disbelief and said they would keep up the pressure on Mr Chen to step down.
The speech came two days after Mr Chen's wife was indicted for embezzlement and forgery in a case involving the misuse of more than 14.8 million Taiwanese dollars (€350,000) from a special government fund.
The prosecutor's office also said it believed there was sufficient evidence to pursue similar charges against Mr Chen.
"I must ask everyone, could A-bian be this kind of crooked fellow?" Mr Chen said in a TV address, referring to himself by his nickname.
"Would he need to use these kinds of corrupt methods, and over five years collect receipts, even for sums as little as $129?"
Mr Chen, who has twice won elections campaigning for formal independence from China, is not due to leave office until 2008.
The main opposition Nationalists said on Friday they would go ahead with a parliamentary "recall" motion if Mr Chen did not resign within 48 hours. If a motion is passed, it would lead to a referendum on whether to oust Mr Chen.