Topacio quits as Mancao lawyer, blames DOJ 'inexplicable inaction'

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Sunday that he will withdraw as counsel for former police Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao III, the government’s principal witness in the 2000 Dacer-Corbito murder case.

 

In a statement, Topacio said he has already informed Mancao of his decision to quit as counsel. He said his withdrawal was prompted by the Department of Justice’s “inexplicable inaction” to his client’s request to be dropped as an accused in the case, in accordance with the Witness Protection Act.

 

Topacio said he believes the government’s “inaction” on Mancao’s request is due to his connection with former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The lawyer serves as Mr. Arroyo’s lead counsel and spokesperson.

 

“My taking a critical stance against the DOJ and the Aquino government in general may be deleteriously affecting his status as a protected witness under the Witness Protection Program of the DOJ,” Topacio said.

 

Mancao implicated Senator Panfilo Lacson in the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. 

 

The senator had repeatedly denied Mancao’s allegation.

 

Topacio likewise said that he already wants to avoid the “awkward position” of being critical of the DOJ’s actions in the Arroyos’ cases while at the same time, coordinating Mancao’s affairs with the same department.

 

The lawyer added that “a new lawyer, apolitical and non-controversial, would be able to work better with the DOJ and may secure more advantages for Mancao, who has risked all for the sake of justice.” — Aileen Estoquia/DVM, GMA News