DOJ asked to admit new witness vs Lacson

The camp of former police Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II on Monday went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ask its Witness Protection Program to admit a possible witness who will supposedly corroborate Mancao’s testimony against fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Mancao has tagged Lacson as the brains behind the killing of veteran publicist Salvador “Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito 10 years ago. At the time, Lacson concurrently headed the Philippine National Police and the now defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). Mancao and his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio submitted the witness’ sworn affidavit, which they claimed could further implicate Lacson to the twin killings. Topacio said the witness, whom he did not identify, would testify that he was with Lacson inside a vehicle when the former PNP chief ordered Dacer’s killing. "We believe that this witness is credible... He is part of the organization and he has the credentials to prove it," said Topacio, who declined to provide more clues regarding the identity of the witness. The lawyer said it is up to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and the WPP to decide whether the witness can be used in court to testify against Lacson. "He (witness) is also seeking the protection of the WPP. We know how sensitive this case is. Later on, the request will be sent to De Lima to check whether he is qualified for WPP," said Topacio. The hunt for Lacson Lacson, who fled the country in January but has reportedly returned, has insisted that he will not surrender unless the DOJ conducts a reinvestigation of the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. De Lima rejected Lacson’s request, saying the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 and the Court of Appeals have already thumbed down his petition to nullify the arrest warrant against him and to order a DOJ reinvestigation of the case. Earlier this month, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted separate raids in Quezon City and Batangas province but failed to locate the fugitive lawmaker. - Sophia Dedace/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV