Chao Chien-ming, son-in-law of Chen Shui-bian, bows in apology after he left Taipei District Court on bail July 10, 2006. Taiwan prosecutors said  they had indicted Chao on charges of insider trading and were seeking an eight-year sentence. [Reuters]

Chen, who said he would not attend the two-day meeting, led the Democratic Progressive Party to power in 2000, largely on promises of ending the corruption that had characterized more than five decades of Nationalist Party rule.

But in recent months, Chen has seen his clean-cut image sullied by a number of scandals involving his family. Son-in-law Chao Chien-min was arrested on suspicion of insider trading and formally indicted on July 10.

Prosecutors also are investigating opposition allegations that first lady Wu Shu-chen profited from the transfer of an upscale Taipei department store to new owners. The President's Office has denied the accusations.

The party planned to discuss how to respond to the scandals at the weekend meeting, including whether to issue a statement backing Chen. Some party supporters have recently called on Chen to resign.

Chen's office issued a statement Friday saying he would not attend the meeting, while pledging his support for the party. Chen "will not attend, but that doesn't reduce his passion and expectations for the DPP," the statement said.

The DPP's image has also suffered from other scandals involving the officials.

On Thursday, "Vice Interior Minister" Yen Wan-jinn,a former DPP official,was arrested on suspicion of graft in a cable car construction project.