Palace: DOJ to ‘comply’ with CA ruling on Lacson's arrest

The Department of Justice will likely comply with the Court of Appeals' order lifting the arrest warrant on Sen. Panfilo Lacson over the Dacer-Corbito double-murder case, once it receives a copy of the CA’s decision, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said it is possible the DOJ is still pressing for Lacson’s arrest because it may not have formally received a copy of the ruling. “The DOJ may not have received yet the CA decision dismissing the case against Lacson. As soon as they get it [copy of the decision], I’m sure the Justice Department will comply with all of the legal requirements," Carandang said in an interview on government-run dzRB radio. On Thursday, the CA junked the double-murder charges against Lacson for the disappearance and killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000. But while the appellate court also lifted the arrest order on Lacson, DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima insisted last Friday the arrest warrant still exists as the ruling is not immediately executory. However, Lacson’s lawyer Alex Poblador said the decision is immediately effective. Lacson went into hiding in January 2010, shortly before a court issued a warrant for his arrest for the Dacer-Corbito case. Nothing fishy Amid this development in the case, Carandang also maintained the Palace does not smell anything fishy in the CA’s ruling, at least for now. “I am not going to prejudge the case of Sen. Lacson in the decision before the CA. We have no basis to suspect anything at this point," he said. Also, he maintained the Aquino administration has no influence to wield over the judiciary, noting the Supreme Court had already thumbed down many of Malacañang's decisions. He was referring to allegations by critics that the administration influenced the judiciary into clearing Lacson, who they claimed is the Aquino administration’s political ally. “We feel [that] many of the actions of this administration have been struck down by the Supreme Court, so 'di natin masabing may influence tayo sa judiciary at this point. Critics can be assured ang lumalabas na court cases 'di nakikialam ang administrasyon diyan," Carandang said. (We feel that many of the actions of this administration had been struck down by the Supreme Court. So we cannot say the Palace has any influence to wield over the judiciary at this point. Critics can be assured Malacañang never had a hand in court cases.) On the other hand, Carandang refused to comment on claims that Lacson should still be sanctioned for mocking the country’s laws by going into hiding. “I’m not a lawyer so I don’t think I’ll comment on that," he said. Carandang also advised members of Dacer’s family to bring before the courts their arguments against the CA’s decision. “They have to make their arguments before the court at this point," he said. — LBG/HS, GMA News Online