De Lima wants to restore murder raps vs. senator

THE warrant of arrest against Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson remains in effect, despite a recent decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) dismissing a double murder-case against the senator, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima declared on Friday.

“The warrant of arrest is still effective and we want to implement that warrant. Only when the court issues a final judgment nullifying the warrant, that is the time that the warrant is lifted,” said de Lima, who added that the Department of Justice (DOJ) may ask the appellate court to reconsider its decision.

“We may file a motion for reconsideration before the CA. Then we will go to the Supreme Court if such will be denied,” the Justice chief said.

Lacson, who remains at large, was implicated in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and Dacer’s driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) had issued a warrant of arrest against Lacson but the warrant was unserved since the senator went into hiding last year.

The Justice department has formed a special task force to intensify the government’s efforts to arrest the fugitive senator.

On Thursday, the appellate court granted a petition of Lacson to nullify orders of Branch 18 of the Manila RTC dated February 4, 2010 and July 3, 2010 finding probable cause to charge the senator with double murder.

Malacañang also on Friday denied having a hand in the dropping of the double-murder charges.

“Clearly from the very start, wala pong ganoon [there’s none of that supposed intervention from the Palace],” spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

De Lima said that they are also considering reinvestigation of the Dacer-Corbito double-murder case.

The new probe apparently would be welcomed by the publicist’s family in particular.

The Dacer camp also on Friday said that the search for justice was not over and that the recent court ruling was just a minor setback that can be countered through other legal options.

Lawyer Demetrio Custodio said that they still have an option to file a motion for reconsideration before the appellate court or bring the case before the High Court and either way they hope to get a favorable ruling.

Despite the dismissal of the murder charges and supposedly the lifting of the warrant of arrest against him, Lacson probably would remain in hiding, lawmakers said also on Friday.

Rep. Romeo Acop of the Second District of Antipolo City, a friend of Lacson, noted that it would be better for the senator to stay where he is right now because the prosecution can still appeal the Thursday ruling of the appellate court.

He served as chief superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Command when then-Chief Supt. Lacson headed the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission under then-President Fidel Ramos.

“If I were in his shoes, I would tell him to come out now. But as a lawyer, I will tell that he should stay where he is now because an appeal can still be made [against the appellate court ruling],” Acop, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1970 like Lacson, said.

Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, agreed with Acop.

“Well, he [Lacson] has to wait until the order of CA becomes final and executory. When no appeal to the Supreme Court is made and same becomes final and executory, then there will be no more reason for Sen. Lacson not to come out,” Abaya said.

He added that Lacson cannot be blamed for hiding, considering allegedly serious harassments against him by the administration of then-President Gloria Arroyo.

“On its face, it may not be the ideal conduct of an elected lawmaker. But if taken in the context of the propensity of the previous administration for harassing and targeting those who just don’t say yes to its ways, then the conduct of Sen. Lacson can be understood,” Abaya, a lawyer, pointed out.

Rep. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna party-list, said that Lacson should face the music, he being an elected senator of the country.

“Sen. Lacson should come out and face the charges. The brutal killing of Dacer needs to be resolved. With the CA decision in place, he really should come out,” Colmenares added.

Lacson was said to have left the Philippines on January 5, 2010, or a month before the Manila RTC issued the warrant of arrest against him.

The senator was also put on the Interpol’s watchlist on February 12, 2010 and his passport cancelled by the Department of Foreign Affairs on August 20, 2010 pursuant to the court order.

WITH REPORTS FROM LLANESCA T. PANTI, CRIS G. ODRONIA, WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL AND JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA