Palace to Berroya: Show proof vs Lacson

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang official on Monday dared Transportation Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya to present evidence showing that Senator Panfilo Lacson indeed caused the delay in the extradition of former Superintendent Glenn Dumlao. Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said unless Berroya could prove that Lacson posted the $100,000 bond of Dumlao, his accusation would remain hearsay. “Assistant Secretary Berroya should also prove this because this is also an accusation and this will also be treated in the same manner that we will be treating the other witnesses," Fajardo said. Dumlao, one of the police officers linked to the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000, has filed with a US court a petition for writs of injunction and habeas corpus to stop his extradition. Fajardo said Malacañang had nothing to do with efforts to convince Dumlao and former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II to return to the country to shed light on the Dacer-Corbito killings. Mancao’s affidavit reportedly linked Lacson and former President Joseph Estrada to the killings. Fajardo said Malacañang is monitoring the developments on the issue and hopes that Lacson would answer the allegations hurled against him. She also dismissed a supposed exposé that Lacson is preparing against the administration, claiming that “the Palace can sleep soundly because we know that the allegations of Senator Lacson are baseless." She added that Malacañang is not panicking over the supposed exposé but feels that if Lacson really has something to disclose, he should bring it to the proper court and back it up with evidence. Fajardo also denied that the return of Mancao was timed to preempt the supposed exposé being readied by Lacson. She said it has been “second instinct" to Lacson to blame the problems that comes his way on Malacañang. - GMANews.TV