MANILA, MAY 21, 2011 (STAR) By Marvin Sy - Expect fireworks when Justice Secretary Leila de Lima faces the Commission on Appointments (CA) for her confirmation hearing in the coming weeks, particularly when she faces the person she ordered hunted down.
It was several months ago that De Lima had ordered the manhunt against Sen. Panfilo Lacson following the warrant of arrest issued by the Manila regional trial court implicating the senator as a principal accused in the murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.
Lacson went into hiding for 14 months to evade arrest while questioning his involvement in the case.
Lacson said he fled the country for fear of being politically persecuted by the previous administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The senator returned after the Court of Appeals ruled that the warrant for his arrest had no basis.
Lacson's return was delayed following statements from De Lima of her intention to arrest the senator, saying the court's decision is not yet final and executory.
Lacson questioned the motives of De Lima for issuing the statements and criticized her for continuing the persecution against him.
Now that he is back in the country and was sworn in as the newest member of the powerful CA, Lacson will have his chance to get back at De Lima when she goes through the confirmation process.
"I'm preparing all questions. There will be a lot," Lacson said in Filipino when asked if he intends to question De Lima.
He said De Lima, just like anybody else brought before the CA, should answer policy questions raised by the CA members as well as those regarding her competence and qualifications.
"What we are trying to find out here is if they are qualified or competent. One may be qualified but not competent but of course if you're not qualified then most likely you're not competent," Lacson said.
Asked if he would give De Lima a hard time during her confirmation hearing, Lacson told reporters to watch the developments.
De Lima, who was at the Senate yesterday attending the hearing on the Anti-Money Laundering Act, said she already expected to be grilled by the CA but appealed for Lacson and the other members to go easy on her.
De Lima said she had nothing against Lacson and that she was merely doing her job when she ordered the manhunt against the senator.
"When it comes to work, I never take things personally. Any issue that I need to intervene or any case or incident I need to act on, I don't care who is involved," De Lima said.
She said that it would only be natural for the justice secretary to be grilled before the CA because of the wide range of responsibilities handled by that office.
"I would expect that kind of atmosphere. Of course I would hope or wish for the best. I would hope and wish that they would be kinder to me," De Lima said.
The CA has scheduled Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes as the next official to go through the confirmation process on June 1.
Brillantes is also expected to have a rough time at the CA, with Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano saying he would question the integrity and fitness of the Comelec chief in holding that position.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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