DOJ chief says Lacson now a fugitive

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - A Manila regional trial court judge issued on Friday an arrest warrant for Sen. Panfilo Lacson for his alleged involvement in the double murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, in November 2000.

Judge Myra Fernandez of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 issued the arrest warrant against Lacson.

The arrest order was issued nearly a month after 2 counts of murder were filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Lacson for allegedly masterminding the killing of the publicist and his driver.

Lacson left the country for Hong Kong last January 5.

There were reports that the senator proceeded to Australia, but the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) suspects that the former Philippine National Police chief may still be in Hong Kong.

The DOJ earlier said the Philippine government can suspend Lacson's passport and move for his arrest and extradition.

Copies of the warrant of arrest have been distributed to the DOJ and the lawyers representing the senator.

Lacson to challenge arrest order

Meanwhile, Lacson's legal counsels are set to challenge the arrest warrant issued by the court.

Atty. Alex Avisado told ANC’s On the Scene on Friday that they are just waiting for their official copy of the arrest order.

“What we will do, we will question the order and request the court to hold in abeyance the implementation of the warrant of arrest. That's what we plan to do,” Avisado said.

“We were told that an order dated yesterday was issued today, and we were expecting that this order would resolve our motion for consolidation, our motion for judicial determination of probable cause, and a motion to exclude information,” said Avisado.

Avisado added that they are ready to elevate the matter before the Court of Appeals.

Officially a fugitive

After the warrant was issued, DOJ Secretary Agnes Devanadera told ANC's Dateline Philippines that Lacson can now be called a fugitive since "the law is after him now."

Devanadera said authorities can arrest the senator once he returns to the country. She said the NBI has established that Lacson is not in Australia.

The NBI earlier said it will immediately ask the Interpol to issue a red-flag notice against the senator once an arrest warrant is issued against him.

Devanadera, meanwhile, clarified that only Lacson has been ordered arrested by the Judge Fernandez.

She said the daughters of the late publicist have not filed any complaints against other people who may be involved in the murder.

Former President Joseph Estrada, who is seeking reelection for president, has also been implicated in the double murder case. Lacson allegedly took an order to kill Dacer from "bigote," who is believed to be the former president.

Estrada has denied involvement in the killings, saying he is a godfather of one of Dacer's children.

The DOJ said they cannot recommend the filing of charges against Estrada since there are no complaints against him in connection with the killings.

Dacer kin: Time to face the music

Dacer's daughter, Carina, meanwhile urged Lacson to face the charges and say his piece before a judge.

"Now he has the chance to tell everything he knows. He always talks to the media but that has no bearing. I hope he takes this opportunity," she said.

Dacer said her family is particularly interested on what other information Lacson would reveal about the case since he allegedly had it investigated in 2000. "If he has any information that could clear his name, he should just say it. He cannot keep running all his life," she said.

The US-based lawyer of star witness Cesar Mancao, meanwhile, lauded the arrest order against Lacson but urged the government to focus on the bigger conspiracy behind the Dacer-Corbito case.

“They shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that this was a conspiracy,” lawyer Arnedo Valera said.

Mancao was part of the inner group in the elite Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) headed by then national police chief Lacson, that was implicated in the murders and attempted cover-up.

Mancao tried to escape arrest by fleeing to the United States but was subsequently arrested. He volunteered to be deported back to the Philippines to testify against his former comrades.

He is seeking a local government post in the coming elections.

Palace to Lacson: Come home

At the Palace, deputy Presidential spokesman Gary Olivar urged Lacson to return home and face the murder charges in court.

Another deputy spokesperson, Charito Planas, said there was still no need for the government to cancel Lacson's passport. She said the senator's passport would only be cancelled once authorities have fully determined that he is actually in hiding.

Lacson earlier said in an e-mailed statement that he is escaped from the "evil conspiracy" of President Arroyo and her lackeys at the justice department.

He claimed he was being pinned by the government to the twin killings because he has been very critical of the administration.

The senator was responsible for several exposés of alleged corruption involving Mrs. Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, including the "Jose Pidal" bank accounts of the First Family's alleged wealth. 

Senate vows to help protect rights

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, meanwhile, said the Senate will not interfere with the judicial process, but that the Senate would extend some assistance to Lacson.

"The Senate will see to it that his rights are respected and that no harm will come to him, but we could not interfere with the enforcement of that warrant because that is the function of  our judicial system," Enrile said.

He said that if Lacson is arrested, he may still perform his role as senator. He will still be entitled to his prerogatives as a member of Congress.

Enrile said the only impact of Lacson's arrest is it would reduce the number of senators present during session.

"He would be in the same category of [detained Sen. Antonio] Trillanes. There will be less senators who can attend the session and answer to the roll call. Since we are 22, now, we will be reduced to 21," he said.

Enrile advised Lacson to return home and "face the issue sternly." He said that if Lacson is really innocent, he will be able to convince the court to drop the case against him.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., meanwhile, said that Lacson would not be able to use his legislative immunity because he is charged with a non-bailable offense that carries a penalty of more than 10 years.

“Double murder is a capital offense so you cannot use immunity there,” Pimentel said.

If Lacson is arrested, Pimentel said they cannot ask the court to transfer him to the Senate’s custody because the institution would be accused of “favoring” the senator. -- With reports from Jay Ruiz and Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News