MANILA, Philippines – Legal counsels of Sen. Panfilo Lacson are set to challenge the arrest warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court for his alleged involvement in the murders of publicist Salvador 'Bubby' Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.

Atty. Alex Avisado told ANC’s On the Scene that Lacson’s lawyers are prepared and 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.

On Thursday, Judge Myrna Fernandez of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued the arrest warrant against Lacson.

“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.

Lacson left the country for Hong Kong last January 5. The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said the Philippine government can suspend Lacson's passport and move for his arrest and extradition.

“Apparently, there was already a plan to condition the minds of the public that indeed a warrant of arrest will be issued against Sen. Lacson even if, at that time, the motions were still pending, and at the time, we were questioning that the pronouncements made by our secretary of justice are all premature and tend to preempt or influence the decision of the presiding judge,” Avisado said.

Also on Thursday, DOJ Secretary Agnes Devanadera said Lacson can now be called a fugitive since a warrant for his arrest is already out and "the law is after him now."

Flight an indication of guilt?

“Knowing Sen. Lacson, he's not the type who will run away from a good fight,” Avisado said.

The lawyer stressed that his client left the country when no case was still filed against him at the regional trial court.

“At the time he left, he did not violate any law or commit any crime,” he said.

He maintained that legal remedies are still available to his client “before he decides whether or not to preempt the service of the warrant by surrendering.”

“We will exhaust all legal remedies before he makes a final decision,” he added.