President Aquino has disclosed that certain individuals close to Senator Panfilo Lacson have been approaching him in behalf of the fugitive lawmaker even as the double murder case against Lacson is now with the court.
“There are those showing his side in his behalf,” Mr. Aquino said. “But our lawyers have been saying that (case) is already under the jurisdiction of the court. Nobody can tell the court what it is supposed to do, except the Supreme Cour.”
Mr. Aquino reserved comment on the move of the Senate to shut down Lacson’s office and withhold his salary and budget amounting to P2 million a month.
“All Lacson personnel shall [in the meantime] continue to perform services for the Senate under the supervision and control of the Senate secretary,”Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said in a memorandum.
Lacson’s office was being administered by his son, Ronald Jay Lacson, who was also collecting his father’s salary and allowance in his absence.
The senator’s office in the Senate has at least 10 regular staff.
The Senate move to cut off funding for Lacson came after the Foreign Affairs Department canceled the diplomatic and regular passports of Lacson, who fled the country on Jan. 5, a month before a court issued a warrant for his arrest.
Manila Standard Today
Subject: Lacson pals want Aquino to step in 
Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:16 am
