Both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the lawyer for Cezar Mancao see no hindrance to the return of the former police officer, who is a key witness in the Dacer-Corbito murders.

Mancao’s lawyer, Arnedo Valera said his client, a former police officer who allegedly knows details about the killing of publicist Salvador ‘Bubby’ Dacer and driver, Emmanuel Corbito could be back in the Philippines in two weeks.

Valera explained Mancao has already submitted a deposition in the extradition hearing of fellow police officer, Michael Ray Aquino, in the United States as required by the judge.

"To the best of my knowledge, with the conclusion of deposition, there is no legal hindrance at all sa pagbalik sa Pilipinas. The Philippine government should thresh out the details with the state department, but he can go anytime to authenticate ang affidavit niya," Valera said.

Valera added that based on a previous agreement with the DOJ, the media, and his family, will accompany Mancao in returning to the Philippines.

Mancao will be fetched by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and processed. This will hasten the authentication of his affidavit. which will lead to the reopening of the double murder case, Valera said.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said he is still waiting for official word from the state department of the United States before the date can be set for Mancao's extradition.

“The date will be set for the turnover of Mancao to our NBI. By that time, I will send them to the US to accept the turnover of Mancao from US authorities,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez noted that Mancao has been due for turnover to the Philippines for a long time, and he sees no more legal impediments to his return, which could lead to the reopening of the nine-year old Dacer-Corbito case.

In his affidavit, Mancao had linked Senator Panfilo Lacson to the murders saying he was with Lacson when Lacson allegedly gave the order to silence the publicist in the year 2000. – report from Marieton Pacheco, ABS-CBN News Channel