Lacson criticizes De Lima over Vizconde probe results

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has criticized Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for supposedly releasing inconclusive evidence against acquitted Vizconde massacre suspect Hubert Webb. "Secretary De Lima is at it again. The mandate of DOJ is to serve justice by prosecution. No way they should crucify people before the bar of public opinion," Lacson said in a statement released Wednesday. He issued the statement a day after a joint task force headed by De Lima revealed evidence that would supposedly prove that Hubert Webb was in the country during the time when the June 1991 Vizconde massacre was committed. De Lima admitted, however, that they still have no proof that would place Webb and his companions at the scene of the crime. "So what did she accomplish by announcing to the public an inconclusive finding that Hubert Webb may have been in the country when the Vizconde Massacre happened, except to be seen on TV and in the newspapers at the expense of the same people who cannot be prosecuted anyway under the principle of double jeopardy?" said Lacson. Earlier in the day, the Webb family said that they are considering asking for the disbarment of the Cabinet official. De Lima is reportedly out of the country. 'Compliment' The senator also likened himself to Hubert, son of former Senator Freddie Webb, specifically on how he was supposedly treated by De Lima. "I myself continue to suffer in indignity because of her insatiable thirst for publicity. To say she's pathetic would be a compliment. It's ludicrous to say the least," he said. "I hope she starts working and perform her mandate the right way for a change," he added. De Lima was critical of Lacson when he was evading arrest for his alleged involvement in the November 2000 killings of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito. She even ordered a reinvestigation after the Court of Appeals junked the case. Lacson later on said that he will grill the Justice chief over her statements which the senator said tend to "undermine" President Benigno Aquino III. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News