Tale of FG's romance, disbarment laughed off

The camp of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo on Tuesday laughed off claims posted on an online blog calling for his disbarment on the basis of immorality, graft and corruption. This developed as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) formally denied that a certain Maria Cecilia "Virginia" Suarez or anybody else for that matter has filed a disbarment case against the First Gentleman. Lawyer Ruy Rundain, counsel for Arroyo, told dzBB radio that the certification would show that Suarez's claims of her illicit affair with the First Gentleman were "fictitious." He added that it was easy anyway to create false stories in blogs, and that the whole tale was part of "black propaganda" against the Arroyo family. On top of details about their alleged love affair, the blog introduction said Suarez cited "hints" of the Jose Pidal account, rice cartel, the acquisition of a $125-million property at the Marina Area in San Francisco. Pictures of their alleged "happier days" were woven into the text of what was described as her disbarment petition against Arroyo. The alleged petition carried the heading "Supreme Court, Manila." Rundain said his client will refuse to take action on the matter, unless Suarez or the blog owner surfaces. Should any of these happen, Rundain said the Arroyo camp will likely file criminal cases such as libel. The IBP issued the one-page certification, dated March 12, upon Arroyo's request. The document was signed by lawyer Rogelio Vinluan, IBP director for bar discipline. It stated: "This is to certify that according to the records of this office, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo of LTA Building, Perea Street, Makati City has no pending administrative or disbarment case filed against him." In her alleged pleading before the Supreme Court, Suarez claimed that Arroyo as a lawyer was culpable of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility. She said she wanted to "cleans(e) the Philippine Bar of a lawyer whose only aim in practicing law seems to focus on immorality, graft and corruption and most of all embarrassing the highest post in the land, that is, the Philippine presidency. In this respect, this Honorable Court should expunge from the roll of attorneys and the ranks of its officers such unscrupulous member of the Integrated Bar." She noted that a lawyer is duty-bound "not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct." She listed her address at Parc Chateau Condominium, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Their alleged "initial encounter" happened sometime 1976 to 1977 through a friend who was Arroyo's client. Suarez said she was "a blooming and vibrant 26-year-old lady" at that time, while Arroyo was ten years older. "After having been introduced to each other, Respondent pursued the petitioner romantically. He lavished the petitioner with flowers and gifts and bombarded her with calls. Thereafter, they dated almost every day," the blog read. They allegedly became a couple after two to three months of dating, but Suarez was later shocked to discover that Arroyo was married to Gloria Macapagal, the woman who would eventually become the president of the Philippines. The blog also alleged that Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, the First Gentleman's brother, knew about the affair. The First Gentleman allegedly decided to keep his relationship with Suarez, keeping her as an employee at his law office and that this eventually turned into "public knowledge." She claimed to have been allowed to stay by Arroyo at a BF Homes residence in Parañaque, and later at the Greenbelt Mansion along Perea Street in Makati City. The blog also made references to Vicky Toh, whom Arroyo was earlier reported to have maintained romantic relations. Listed under "Betrayal by Respondent," Suarez claimed that: "Sometime in the mid-1980's, the relationship turned sour when petitioner discovered Respondent's secret relationship with Vicky Toh (Vicky)." "When petitioner could not take it any longer, she entertained other suitors," Suarez said. After a quarrel which saw Suarez allegedly throwing Arroyo's "Ateneo college ring" to his face, the First Gentleman supposedly asked for forgiveness. "Respondent was very, very drunk, crying, crawling and vomiting. Respondent begged for petitioner’s mother to help him win back the petitioner," she claimed. However, Suarez said that, "Suddenly, GMA (President Arroyo) arrived to pick up petitioner's mother demanding that petitioner leave Respondent alone." - GMANews.TV