GMA-7 unveils photo of Mike A with Poe tormentor

Amid suspicions that Malacañang is behind efforts to disqualify actor and opposition presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr., a photograph of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo with one of the lawyers who filed the petition seeking Poe’s disqualification surfaced yesterday.

Lawyer Julius Ravoca, secretary-general of the Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement (FPJM) showed GMA-7 television the photograph supposedly taken "two weeks after" then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the presidency in place of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Ravoca did not divulge his source.

The picture shows Mr. Arroyo seated at the center of a packed long table with lawyer Andresito Fornier, elder brother of lawyer Victorino Fornier, one seat away from him to his left. The other people in the photograph were not identified.

The younger Fornier filed a petition seeking Poe’s disqualification as a presidential candidate before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last week. In his petition, Victorino said Poe is not a natural-born Filipino and, thus, is not qualified to run for president.

The Constitution requires that any person who runs for the presidency should be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines.

GMA-7 reported that the First Gentleman and Andresito belonged to a group called "Friends of Everybody" in the Ateneo de Manila Law School. Both are graduates of the Ateneo Law School.

"This (photograph) was sent to me by my source," Ravoca said. "The source said it was taken two weeks after (President Arroyo) took over. Atty. Andy (Andresito) Fornier organized a dinner gathering in Malacañang hosted by Mike arroyo."

Sought for comment, Andresito said the picture was taken three years ago, when the First Gentleman first gathered them and "called for Ateneo lawyers to help those who have less in life."

Andresito also said this was the first time in his life he had seen the First Gentleman, GMA-7 reported.

Fornier said his "only association" with the First Gentleman is that they are both members of the Ateneo Alumni Association.

"There are so many members of the Atenean Alumni Association, including (national hero) Jose Rizal," Andresito said.

Meanwhile, the First Gentleman’s lawyer, Jesus Santos said in a statement that the release of the photograph to media by Ravoca is a "meaningless ploy" to distract the public from the controversy over Poe’s citizenship.

Santos also said he and his client have yet to be shown a copy of the photograph, "which could, after all, have been faked or retouched."

He said the First Gentleman could not recall the particulars of the event at which the picture was taken, considering the numerous socials and other public meetings at Malacañang shortly after the President assumed office.

Even if the photograph is authentic, Santos said, "it has no significance whatsoever," as it was taken at a public event and anyone can approach the First Gentleman and ask to have his or her picture taken with him.

Mr. Arroyo, he added, has had countless photos taken with numerous personalities during social or official functions.