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Jinggoy to Lacson: Come out and face the music


Senate Pro Tempore Jose 'Jinggoy' Estrada on Tuesday called on Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is now out of the country, to "come out" and "face the music" in connection with the double murder charges filed against him. "What I can surmise right now is that he just might be out of the country because of the warrant of arrest against him might just come out. Kung ako sa kanya (If I were him) he has to face the music," Estrada said in a interview with reporters. Lacson is facing double murder charges in connection with the killing of publicist Salvador 'Bubby' Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. "If he has nothing to hide, I advise him, a friendly advise: He should come out in the open and not to fear anything... harapin mo sa husgado, anyway he should be given his day in court," Estrada said. In 2001, Estrada was arrested and detained along with his father, former President Joseph Estrada, on plunder and perjury charges. The younger Estrada was detained for two years but was later acquitted of the charges, while his father spent six and a half years in detention and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua in September 2007. The elder Estrada was granted pardon in October 2007. Jinggoy refused to comment on Lacson's statement that he was being harassed by Malacañang. [See: Lacson admits fleeing RP to escape Arroyo ‘harassment’] Miriam to do same thing But Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, an administration ally, agreed with Lacson's decision to go abroad. "If I were Senator Lacson, I would do the same thing… because this is non-bailable... that’s the important thing," she said. "Of course it is so easy to say, ideally, a senator is mandated to observe the Constitution and all statutory laws, must follow the law and surrender. But in reality, nobody wants to place himself in the situation," she added "Our system of justice provides that he cannot avail of the presumption of innocence because the accusation is very grave... it could be classified as heinous offense and therefore not bailable," she added. In a separate interview, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile reiterated his earlier position that the Senate cannot protect Lacson from arrest. "He will not be covered with parliamentary immunity, the penalty (of the charge against him) is more than 6 years so if he is in session he could be arrested," he said. Enrile was referring to Article 6, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution which states: "A senator or member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. No Member shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee thereof." No arrest inside Senate session hall Still, Enrile assured that he will not allow the police to arrest Lacson inside the session hall. On Monday, Enrile disclosed that Lacson had asked to be excused from attending the sessions. [See: Lacson out of the country - Enrile] "He did not state the reason why he could not attend the sessions. He just said that he will not be able to attend the sessions. He did not say where he was, I just received the letter from his office," Enrile said Tuesday, adding that they have not communicated since receiving the letter and giving Lacson authority to travel before Christmas. - RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV

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