Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio says his client Cassandra Li Ong confirmed the photo with officials including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Chef Sandy Daza on Tuesday denied any connection with alleged POGO personalities, following a photo released by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.

The said photo shows Daza, among others, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, along with the said POGO personalities.

"The implication of the president and First Lady being close to the Chinese POGO is untrue. This was way before BBM had plans to run for president. That photo was during the administration before. Some people apart from my friends, we don’t know. Those people who apparently are POGO, came and asked to have a picture with us... BBM then and Liza. No one knew who they were. Thousands ask photos and no one is ever denied of a photo. After the photo, they left and no one knew who they were," Daza told ABS-CBN News via a mobile messaging app.

Daza said other people in the restaurant also asked for photos from their group.

"If I remember correctly. Even the waiters had photos taken. All ladies sat together in the photo in front which is what we normally do. No one knew who the lady was beside Liza. We learned after who she was from that lawyer," he added.

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