Govt dared to show proof vs Lacson in Dacer-Corbito case

MANILA, Philippines – A senator on Sunday took the cudgels for Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is being linked to the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000. In an interview on dzBB radio, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said Lacson’s accusers should present solid evidence before dragging the embattled opposition lawmaker to the twin killings. “Alam namin sa bandang huli, it will have to be evidence beyond reasonable doubt. Hindi lang yung haka-haka. Ayaw namin na sirain ni kaninoman ang pangalan ng kasamahan namin sa Senado nang walang batayan," Pimentel said. [The allegations have to be supported by evidence beyond reasonable doubt and not by mere speculations. We would not allow anyone to taint the name of any of our colleagues in the Senate without sufficient basis.] In November 2000, Dacer and Corbito were abducted and slain by men believed to be members of the now defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Task Force (PAOCTF), which was then headed by Lacson. Lacson, who was also chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) when the crime was committed, had repeatedly denied having a hand in twin killings, even as his name was mentioned in separate sworn affidavits of former police officials belonging to the PAOCTF, namely former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II and Superintendent Glenn Dumlao. Mancao and Dumlao, along with former police Senior Superintendent Michael Ray Aquino, are presently detained in the United States. Mancao and Dumlao are subject to extradition to the Philippines to answer for the killings, while Aquino’s extradition case remains ongoing. A US court recently granted Aquino’s petition to have Mancao and Dumlao testify at the case – virtually delaying the two former police officials’ return to the Philippines by at least two months. Lacson, a staunch critic of the Arroyo administration, had accused Malacañang of “orchestrating a smear campaign" against him. Palace officials, however, said Lacson should stop pointing his finger to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and answer the allegations when the Dacer-Corbito murder case is reopened. - GMANews.TV