MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada on Friday described Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson as "lucky" after the Supreme Court denied with finality the petition filed by the Dacer family and government against the Court of Appeals' dismissal of the murder charges against the lawmaker.

"Suwerte si Senator Lacson na napawalang-sala siya ng ating Supreme Court. That is all that I can say," Estrada told ANC Primetime.

He did not to elaborate on his statement, but said he hopes that the brains behind the murder of publicist Bubby Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000, will be put behind bars.

"Dapat makita talaga iyung mastermind. Si Bubby Dacer, kumpare kong buo iyan. Matagal ko nang barkada iyan," said Estrada, who had also been accused of involvement in the publicist's death.

He reiterated his denial that he had nothing to do with the killings. "Bago namatay si pareng Bubby, nanggaling sa Malacañang iyan, kasama ng mga inaanak ko. Papaano namang..." Estrada said.

"Nakakaawa iyung kumpare ko. Sana mahuli iyung talagang mastermind," he said.

He said he is having second thoughts about mending ties with the Dacer family.

"Baka ma-misinterpret tayo. Pero gusto ko talaga. Malapit sa akin ang kanilang ama," he said.