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CA junks Lacson's plea to stop prelim probe on Dacer case


The Court of Appeals has junked the motion of Sen. Panfilo Lacson to stop the Department of Justice for conducting a preliminary investigation on the nine-year-old Dacer-Corbito double-murder case, in which he is implicated. In a resolution, the CA Former Tenth Division said the issue has become moot and academic since DOJ prosecutors handling the case had already terminated the preliminary investigation and had charged Lacson before the Manila regional trial court. The CA pointed out that the Manila RTC has already issued a warrant for Lacson’s arrest. “We have once more reviewed the issues in this case particularly as they relate to the motion for reconsideration … We find no cogent reason to reverse, alter or modify the decision sought to be reconsidered," the CA said in its ruling penned by Associate Justice Juan Enriquez Jr. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has already tapped the assistance of the International Police (Interpol) in arresting Lacson, who fled the country early January to escape what he perceived as government persecution against him. Lacson, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), claimed the Arroyo administration is out to persecute him through the DOJ for his criticisms against the government. Salvador “Bubby" Dacer, a noted publicist, and his driver Emmanuel Corbito went missing in November 2000. They were believed to be kidnapped and later executed by members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) which was then headed by Lacson. Lacson was charged based on the affidavit of former police officer Cezar Mancao, who was also part of the PAOCTF. He has repeatedly denied involvement in the twin killings. Aside from the Dacer-Corbito murders, Lacson is also facing charges for the alleged kidnapping of two Hong Kong nationals 10 years ago. The case is still at the stage of preliminary investigation at the DOJ. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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