Enrile: Lacson can get fair treatment under Noynoy admin

Fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson could return to the Philippines once President-elect Benigno Aquino III takes over government on June 30, outgoing Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Sunday. Enrile, who was reelected to the 15th Congress, said that under an Aquino administration Lacson could expect a "fair" trial for November 2000 murders of publicist Slavador Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito. "In the new administration, he will have a fairer treatment. I am not saying Gloria's [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] government is harsh, but Lacson himself said the Arroyo administration is persecuting him," Enrile told dzBB radio in an interview. Lacson has close ties with Aquino. But the president-elect has vowed, "there would be no special favors" for the fugitive senator should he return to the Philippines. "Like any other citizen, [Lacson] can expect the rule of law will be religiously observed. I will not favor anyone, but I will not oppress anyone as well. If the court does not withdraw its warrant of arrest, the warrant has to be served," Aquino said in an earlier media interview. Lacson fled the Philippines in January, just before the Department of Justice filed charges of double murder against him before the Manila Regional Trial Court. The senator was accused of masterminding the Nov. 24, 2000 abduction and killing of Dacer and Corbito. After the court ordered his arrest in February, the National Bureau of Investigation tapped the Interpol to place Lacson under its Red Notice list. Lacson had admitted fleeing the country to escape what he claimed was the "evil conspiracy" between Malacañang and the Department of Justice. He alleged that the double murder charges against him was part of President Arroyo's political vendetta stemming from his staunch criticism against her administration. The senator had also exposed alleged anomalies implicating First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. Lacson had repeatedly denied involvement in the Dacer-Corbito killings, while President Arroyo and her husband had since denied being corrupt. Sophia Regina Dedace/VS, GMANews.TV