Control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine

An engine is equipped with a particulate filter, and a control unit. The control unit controls to regenerate the particulate filter when the trapped amount of particulate in the filter is estimated to have reached a predeterminable amount ( alpha ). The control unit brings the opening of a throttle valve into full open in case of malfunction occurring in a throttle valve opening sensor. However, during the regeneration, the control unit inhibits the widening of the opening degree of the throttle valve even in case a malfunction occurs in the throttle valve opening sensor.