Mike A slams black propaganda

First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo hit yesterday what he described as "the latest wave of black propaganda" being spread over the Internet, alleging that a former female lover is seeking his disbarment.

Mr. Arroyo said no such disbarment case was filed either with the Supreme Court or the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

"We are just awaiting the official certification from the IBP that no such disbarment case was filed," he told The STAR. "This is just another wave of black propaganda."

He said the matter "is no big deal" to him because the allegations are not true.

In 2005, President Arroyo sent her husband to the United States to avoid the intensifying attacks of the opposition against the First Family.

Administration officials said the First Gentleman has always been the subject of "attacks by political opponents since rumors and scandals are an effective way of hitting the President.

The blog of the petitioner, a certain Ma. Celia Suarez, contained her allegations against the First Gentleman and included four pictures of them together. Suarez is pushing for the disbarment of the First Gentleman, allegedly for immorality and graft and corruption.

The photos were blurred and were obviously taken decades ago. Another photo shows a third person between Mr. Arroyo and the woman but the blog said the image of the third person was blurred because the person is a minor. When asked about the pictures posted on the blog, Mr. Arroyo said they were "digitally altered."

"They can do whatever they want nowadays with old or new pictures," he said.

He did not name the people who may be behind the alleged petition for disbarment.

"Sift through the rather awkward and graphic accounts of the relationship-turned-sour and there will be rewarding insights about Arroyo’s diversion of election funds and illegally acquired wealth," the blog’s introduction reads.

It alleged that Mr. Arroyo convinced the woman a few years ago to hide in the US after the scandal involving him and Vicky Toh erupted in the Senate following an exposé of opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

It said the First Gentleman had warned Suarez that she might be used by Lacson to attack Mrs. Arroyo, who was then running for President.

Suarez was also allegedly promised marriage by the First Gentleman, according to the blog. – Paolo Romero