By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(Journal Group Link International)

Cezar Mancao Pleased Over Cancellation of Senator Lacson’s Passports

C HICAGO (jGLi) – Cezar O. Mancao, II is pleased by the decision of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passports (both individual and diplomatic kinds) of his former superior, now-Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, a principal accused in the double murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and Dacer’s driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Cezar Mancao’s United States-based lawyer Arnedo S. Valera issued this statement Saturday as Mr. Mancao assured him that he would stand “firm to his commitment to the Filipino people and our justice system that the truth will come out and justice will prevail.”

Mr. Mancao, 48, assured Mr. Valera, a Washington, D.C.-area lawyer, that “despite threats and physical dangers that he is facing, Mancao wanted to leave the legacies of truth and justice not only to the families of Dacer and Corbito but as well as to his family and children.”

This turn of event is “good for the Filipino people and to the Aquino presidency. What we need to show our people and the international community is the government's resolve and political will to carry out the basic tenet of any democratic nation: that no one is above the law," Atty. Valera said.  “Finally, we are seeing the wheels of justice moving in the right direction."

In a separate statement emailed to this reporter, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said, “my client, Cezar O. Mancao, II, is gratified by the latest development in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case – the cancellation by the Department of Foreign Affairs, upon the request of the Department of Justice, of the passports – both individual and diplomatic – of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, principal accused in the said crime.”

He said, “Felicitations belong to the two prosecution panels led by Senior State Prosecutors Peter Ong and Hazel Valdez-Decena, who have been working long and hard for the prosecution of the case, and of course to the Department of Justice led by Sec. Leila De Lima, who has shown unstinting commitment to seeing the case to its successful conclusion.

“Kudos are also in order for the lawyer of the Dacer Family, Atty. Demetrio Custodio, who has shown great dedication to the Dacer Family’s quest for justice, and to the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption led by Dante Jimenez, whose institutional support has lent a huge amount of moral support to both victims and witnesses.”

Mr. Topacio said, “Mr. Mancao reiterates his solemn vow that he will not change his testimony and will honor his commitment to the Filipino people and to Dacer and Corbito families for them to know the truth so that justice will prevail, notwithstanding the physical dangers, threats, intimidations, pressures and other temptations that have been thrown his way.

“We are confident that this latest development will pave the way for Senator Lacson to be repatriated in order to face the charges against him in a court of law, subject to whatever defenses he may have in accordance with due process.” # # #

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