FILE PHOTOS
Wedding and fashion photographer Patrick Uy submitted a suitcase of photographs taken at the parties and special events hosted by Janet Lim-Napoles to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), according to a source close to the photographer.
The source said Uy “surrendered” all his files to the Ombudsman after he was issued a subpoena to present them in connection with the office’s investigation of the P10-billion pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Napoles.
“He was hesitant to submit all his files because it might jeopardize his livelihood, but he had no choice but to yield to the subpoena of the Ombudsman,” the source who asked not to be named told the Inquirer.
Uy was subpoenaed by the OMB based on the statements of the whistle-blowers who named him and his Pacific Light Studio as Napoles’ official photographer.
Among the photo files submitted to the OMB were those taken during the silver wedding anniversary of Napoles and her husband, Jaime, at the Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu City.
“He is usually there to supervise and shoot, otherwise he sends his crew of photographers,” the source said.
The source said Uy’s studio had photographs of the birthday parties of Napoles and her children.
He was also hired by Napoles to take photos during the birthday of Msgr. Fernando Ramirez, a close friend.
He also photographed the anniversaries of Napoles’ JLN Corp. at Discovery Center in Pasig City, which were attended by politicians and show biz personalities, the source said.
He also has photos of government officials, show biz personalities and lawmakers who attended the first death anniversary of Napoles’ mother, Magdalena Luy, at Heritage Park in Taguig City.
The source added that Uy’s studio was also hired to photograph the birthday celebration of the father-in-law of Napoles held in Kidapawan City in 2012.
Uy is a much sought-after photographer, particularly by the rich and famous.
He was among the few photographers invited to photograph the king of Bhutan’s coronation in 2008.
He has also photographed many celebrity weddings, including those of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, Jackie Ejercito and Beaver Lopez, Mikey and Angela Arroyo, and Dato and Victoria Arroyo.
He was elected president of the Camera Club of the Philippines in 2004 and headed the Advertising Photographers of the Philippines in 2005.
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