Senate puts off Lacson's office budget, salary

The Senate has suspended the salary and office budget of fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson, at least until he can "resume" performing his duties. Radio dzBB reported Saturday this was the gist of a memorandum signed by Senate Secretary Emma Lirio-Reyes and approved by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. It suspended the release of the budget of Lacson's office amounting P2 million a month; and Lacson's salary amounting to P36,000 a month. Based on the memorandum, personnel under Lacson's office shall be under the control and supervision of the Senate secretary. Services of consultants of the Senator’s office were suspended as well. Lacson went into hiding early this year after being linked to the abduction and killing of veteran publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. He had said his implication in the incident was a case of political harassment by the then Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The Department of Foreign Affairs had already canceled Lacson's passports. A story in the Daily Tribune newspaper cited sources who said Enrile told some of the senators last Wednesday that he would call a caucus due to a "very serious problem." The report also said the memorandum will take effect this month. — LBG, GMANews.TV