Arroyo's 'Men in Black' pose sparks outcry

The eye-catching picture of Arroyo and her 'power team' on the cover of the Philippine Tatler

MANILA, Philippines -- A photo of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and four top ministers looking like the alien busting heroes from the "Men in Black" blockbuster films has sparked an outcry in the Philippines.

Society magazine Philippine Tatler used the picture of Arroyo and her so-called "power team" -- Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes, Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas and Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo -- to mark its first anniversary.

The photo, mimicking "Men in Black" actors Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, caused copies to fly off the stands, the magazine said.

But opposition and civil groups have slammed the pose to local media, saying Arroyo was mocking the presidency.

'Power puff'

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One senator sarcastically suggested Arroyo could pose as a "power puff" girl, referring to a popular cartoon character.

Meanwhile in an editorial on Monday, the Asian Wall Street Journal said the photo "raises questions" about whether Arroyo is serious in tackling the Philippines' economic and security problems.

Even though the shot was supposed to convey the government's tough stance against crime and corruption, the picture made Arroyo's cabinet men "look like thugs," the editorial added.

Anton San Diego, editor of the glossy monthly that usually chronicles fashions, films and celebrities, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper the cover shot was taken at the presidential palace after the concept was proposed to Arroyo.

"We wanted to make the president more accessible and show her 'fun' side as well? She liked the idea," San Diego said.

Good guys

Philippine press secretary Ignacio Bunye on Monday defended the president's decision to be photographed, saying it does not detract from her ability to govern.

"Let us not make a mountain out a molehill," Bunye was quoted by local media as saying, stressing the picture appeared on the cover of a local publication and "not Time or Newsweek."

The Men in Black "are the good guys so to speak," Bunye said.

"Tatler is merely portraying the president and her cabinet as good guys in a fun sort of way. We see nothing wrong there," he added.

Bunye advised the president's detractors to lighten up.

Reuters contributed to this report.