PING SAYS MICHAEL RAY'S RETURN WILL PROVE HIS INNOCENCE IN DACER CASE
[2005 NEWS PHOTO FROM FILIPINO EXPRESS - NEW YORK, March 17, 2005 - MICHAEL RAY AQUINO, Filipino fugitive and former aide to Senator Panfilo Lacson who was linked to the 1995 killing of suspected Kuratong Baleleng gang members was arrested on Tuesday morning for an alleged immigration violation. Michael Ray Aquino, who was also implicated in the abduction and killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000, was reportedly nabbed by US authorities at Federal Plaza Building in New York City].
MANILA, JUNE 18, 2011 (STAR) By Marvin Sy - Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday that the impending return of former senior superintendent Michael Ray Aquino would support his claim that he was not involved in the murders of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.
Speaking at a weekly forum at the Senate, Lacson said the return of his former subordinate would be favorable to him because Aquino had previously issued an affidavit denying the claims of former senior superintendent Cezar Mancao that he ordered Dacer's murder.
He had repeatedly denied Mancao's allegation, saying the car conversation never took place.
"So I would say that his return would be favorable to me," he said.
The case against Lacson was dismissed by the Court of Appeals but the prosecution is still studying the possibility of filing a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court.
The family of Dacer had actually filed such a motion at the Supreme Court but it was dismissed on a technicality.
Lacson said it would be up to the prosecution to come up with evidence to support a review of his case before the High Court.
"(Justice Secretary Leila de Lima) can conduct a reinvestigation because the case is still in progress in court. If she wants a reinvestigation, that's her call. But it is a question of availability of evidence. Is there evidence to warrant a reinvestigation?" he said, adding that he would cooperate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) if and when he is asked after Aquino arrives from the United States.
However, the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said he would not make any personal appearances at the DOJ because everything that he has to say about the case was already in his counter affidavit, which he had filed before.
Tell-all book in the making
Lacson, who has made a career out of exposing the secrets of various personalities in government, said he is ready to come out with his biggest revelation – the details of his own life.
After four decades of government service – 20 years in the defunct Philippine Constabulary, 10 years with the PNP and the rest as a senator – he said he is just about ready to spend a quiet private life.
His term expires in 2013 and instead of aspiring for other government posts, he said he would rather focus on writing his memoirs.
The book would be of interest to various sectors because it would cover everything from his experience as a law enforcement officer, his stint as a fugitive and some "unwritten tales" that only he and probably a handful know about.
"There are so many low points in my career that sometimes I just kept to myself. I'm thinking of including everything, even those that I did not share with media, in that book that I am thinking of," Lacson said.
He said he intends to set the record straight on a number of issues, although he did not elaborate which ones he would be including in the book.
There are many questions that have been asked about Lacson over the years, including his alleged involvement in the Dacer-Corbito murders, the execution of 11 members of a robbery gang in 1995 and his whereabouts for more than a year as a fugitive.
Of the many issues that have been raised against him, Lacson said that he would most likely include the places where he hid from January 2010 to May this year.
"I will be writing a book about my exploits, the colorful career that I had, as a policeman, in the Philippine Constabulary, as a senator, and all other aspects. The untold stories about my exploits such as where I hid, I can put this in the book. Even my love life," he said.
However, more than anything else, Lacson said his book would deal with the high points of his career, especially his stint as PNP chief.
As much as there were allegations raised against him when he was a policeman, there were even more accolades and testimonials about his contributions to the PNP, particularly the campaign against kidnap for ransom groups.
"There were many ups and downs. Winston Churchill, when he described World War II, said that it was full of ups and downs, bloody and without withdrawal. It was long and hard. That was how my life is, like a roller coaster, sometimes you're up and sometimes you're really down," Lacson said.
He said he has already prepared the draft of his book and once he has the time, presumably after he ends his term in 2013, he would complete this project.
FROM MALAYA NATIONAL
Before writing memoirs, Lacson targets De Lima By JP LOPEZ
SEN. Panfilo Lacson, who has had a colorful career as a chief PNP and politician, will write his memoirs when he steps down in two years time.
But for now he vows to block Justice Secretary Leila de Lima from being confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
"I will be writing a book about my exploits, the colorful career that I had. Sa pulis, sa Philippine Constabulary, sa pagiging senador and all other aspects, yung mga untold stories about yung mga exploits, yung like san ako nagtago, pwede sabihin din dun," Lacson said.
"Pati mga unwritten tales, sama ko lahat yun... pati love life," he added.
Lacson described his life as "full of ups and downs, bloody without withdrawal."
"It's going to be long and hard, ganun din buhay ko eh. Parang roller coaster na minsan nasa taas, nasa ibaba, minsan lumalagapak talaga, minsan naman may mga high point," he said.
Lacson said the most satisfying point of his government career was when he was PNP chief.
Lacson was PNP chief when the police establishment received a high approval rating.
However, his career was marred with controversies, including his alleged involvement in the supposed rubout of 11 members of the Kuratong Baleleng criminal group in 1995 and the murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.
Lacson won as senator in 2001 and was reelected in 2007. He ran for president in 2004 but lost.
Although Lacson said he has no plans of seeking public office when his term ends, he said he is not closing the doors if ever President Aquino offers him a post.
"It depends. When the time comes... (but) one thing I won't do is apply for a government job.... you should wait to be tapped to perform a job," he said.
Lacson said that by the end of June, he would have served the government for 40 years: 20 years in the Philippine Constabulary, 10 years in the PNP, and 10 years in the Senate. He has still two years in government service.
Lacson said De Lima does not need to summon him in the reinvestigation of the decades-old double murder case, saying he would just refer the justice secretary to his affidavit during the past administration.
"She can conduct a reinvestigation because yung case naman is still in progress sa court. If she wants a reinvestigation that's her call... she plans to summon me when Michael Ray Aquino arrives. My question is on what ground? Bakit ako isa-summon, at anong gagawin ko? I will only tell her I submitted my counter affidavit to the previous DOJ where the previous DOJ found probable cause and filed a case against me," he said.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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