MANILA - Former police senior superintendent Cezar Mancao II failed Wednesday to enter a plea during his arraignment in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito after the judge rescheduled the proceedings to June 30. 

Mancao's lawyers asked for the postponement, saying that they needed more time to study the case. 

A radio dzMM report said members of the media were barred from covering the proceedings.

After the hearing, Mancao was whisked away by authorities to the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters on Taft Avenue, Manila.

Atty. Alex Avisado, legal spokesperson of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile said they will block a proposal to tap Mancao as a state witness in the case.

Avisado said there are already three state witnesses for the Dacer-Corbito case. He also questioned the VIP treatment allegedly given to the former police official.

Hours before the arraignment, Mancao's wife, Maricar, and four children arrived in Manila to accompany the former police superintendent to the court hearing.

The Mancaos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:30 a.m. where they were welcomed by NBI Anti-Terrorism Division Chief Atty. Ric Diaz. Mrs. Mancao said she is thankful to the NBI for providing security to her family.