Lacson denies hand in Rosebud's removal from witness protection program

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday denied he had anything to do with the removal of Mary "Rosebud" Ong from the government's Witness Protection Program (WPP). "Wala akong kinalaman sa pagka-terminate niya sa witness protection program. That is a fact," Lacson told reporters on Thursday. Ong is a former anti-narcotics civilian agent who once accused Lacson of involvement in criminal activities. Also, Lacson denied claims Ong's removal from the WPP was Justice Sec. Leila de Lima's birthday gift to him, saying he only knew about the matter during a budget hearing at the Senate last Tuesday. "Di ko kailangan ng regalo... tsaka the last gift that I would want to accept eh si Rosebud," he said. Right after Ong learned about her removal from the WPP, she wrote a letter to De Lima asking for her reinstatement at WPP. She also denied there was no more threat to her life, especially with Lacson around. In 2001, she accused Lacson of being involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom and summary execution. Lacson denied all the accusations. Kasi nga for nine long years talaga namang ginamit siya ng Arroyo administration to do me in, wala naman akong kaso na siya ang testigo," Lacson said. "Every time na may issue laban man o pabor sa akin, para siyang bawang na nakasahog parati, maski anong lulutuin," he added. But the senator said he wouldn't use his time for Ong. "Di ko aaksayahin ang isang segundo ng buhay ko para gawan ng kung anuman na sinasabi niyang pananakot o kaya panggagambala sa kanya," the senator said. — LBG, GMA News