By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – The U.S.-based lawyer of Cezar O. Mancao II challenged Friday, Aug. 19, Sen. Panfilo Lacson “to use his political powers as senator to convene his colleagues in the Senate to probe and investigate the double murder cases of Dacer-Corbito and all the extra-judicial killings allegedly perpetrated by the military, police and paramilitary forces.”

Meanwhile, one of the daughters of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer said it should be Senator Lacson, who should do the “explaining and other people,” in connection with the 150-million Philippine pesos (US$3.5-million) check allegedly issued to Mr. Mancao.

Carina Dacer told this reporter in an e-mail, “I have no knowledge about this (P150-million) and I do not think we should dignify Senator Lacson’s accusation with a response.”

In an e-mail to this reporter, Arnedo Valera said, “As a human-rights lawyer, I am interested in pursuing relentlessly the truth behind the double-murder cases of Dacer-Corbito and that justice be given to their respective families.

“My challenge to Senator Lacson is for him to use his political powers as a senator to convene his colleagues in the Senate to probe and investigate this heinous crime."

It was Mr. Valera who acted as private defense lawyer of Mancao during Mancao’s extradition case in Florida last year.

Mr. Valera said, Lacson “can even testify and respond to the queries of his colleagues in the Senate of his involvement or noninvolvement. Likewise, if he knows anything about the murders, now is the time for him to come clean before the Filipino nation and our people.”

IN AID OF LEGISLATION

A tty. Valera added, Lacson "is an officer and a gentleman, occupying one of the highest elected positions in our country. He has to do the right thing.  He can initiate the convening of a body before the Senate in aid of legislation and investigate all extra judicial killings allegedly perpetrated by the military, police and para military forces including the double murder cases of Dacer and Corbito.
“He owes it to the Filipino people to tell what he knows about these killings and who are behind and those involved in it. And why they were killed.  This is good for the Philippine justice system's integrity and independence.”

On Friday, Aug. 19 (Manila time), Senator Lacson accused his former subordinate, former “police Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II of receiving a P150-million check as payment to implicate him in the Dacer-Corbito murder case.”

Confirming the P150-million check, Mr. Mancao told the Philippine Star that he indeed has the check deposited in his bank account but he stopped the bank transaction because “there was no sufficient funds to cover” the check.

Mr. Mancao said the check was deposited in a joint account with him and a female co-depositor at the Bank of the Philippine Islands SM North EDSA branch (Quezon City in the Philippines) about seven or eight months ago as payment for a real estate properties for a group that involves him.

Mr. Mancao said the female depositor is part of a group, which “maliciously deposited (the check) in my account just to destroy me.”

Mr. Mancao turned state witness after being named co-accused in the 2000 abduction and murder of Mr. Dacer and Dacer’s driver, Emmanuel Corbito. His co-accused were 20 others, including his fellow police officers Michael Ray Aquino and Glenn G. Dumlao. Senator Lacson went into hiding before he could be arrested in the murders. Mr. Lacson would re-surface after the court of appeals discharged him from the criminal information.

Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada was also implicated in the murders but had denied any part in the murders. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)