Lawyer who filed case vs FPJ found dead in Ortigas hotel

Maria Jeanette Tecson, one of the lawyers who filed a case against Fernando Poe Jr in 2004, was found dead at the Richmonde Hotel in San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, authorities said on Saturday.

Based on initial investigation, Tecson's body — with multiple wounds in her throat and wrist — was found inside room 204, about 8:30 p.m., Friday. Senior Supt. Francisco Uyami, Pasig City police chief, said that when the corpse was found, its limbs were already stiff, suggesting that the 40-year-old lawyer was already several hours dead before her remains were discovered.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of Tecson's death.

Tecson filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to disqualify Poe from running in the 2004 presidential elections.

She claimed Poe was born out of wedlock and thus should not be allowed to take the Filipino citizenship of his father. Tecson said that while Poe's birth certificate was dated 1939, his parents Allan Poe and American mother Bessie Kelly did not marry until 1940. - GMANews.TV