Lacson fails to get TRO vs arrest warrant

The Court of Appeals did not grant Senator Panfilo Lacson's bid to block the enforcement of a standing warrant of arrest against him for the abduction and murder of veteran publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.

In a resolution dated October 7, 2010, the appellate court's Sixth Division refused the fugitive senator's request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that could stop the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 from enforcing the arrest warrant.

Instead, the court directed Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina and Dacer's daughters — Carina, Sabina, Emily, and Amparo — to submit their comments on Lacson's petition within 10 days.

“Thereafter, … this Court will render judgment unless the parties would be required to submit memoranda," the CA ruled. Action on the request for a TRO and writ of preliminary injunction is thus “held in abeyance" the court receives the comments or the 10-day deadline for comments expires.

CA Associate Justice Ramon Bato Jr. penned the resolution, which was concurred in by Associate Justices Juan Enriquez jr. and Florito Macalino.

On January 7 this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed two counts of murder against Lacson before the Manila court. However, the senator had already fled the country two days before he was indicted.

A month later, the Manila RTC Branch 18, then presided by Judge Myra Garcia-Fernandez, issued the arrest warrant against Lacson.

Lacson's lawyers then asked the court to cancel the warrant and order the DOJ to review the murder case.

Last July, the court, now under Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina, junked Lacson's plea and said the arrest warrant remains standing. The Manila court also ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel Lacson's passport to limit his movements abroad.

In August, the DFA cancelled his regular and diplomatic passports because he was deemed a "fugitive from justice" as provided by the Philippine Passport Act of 2010.

Insisting he was unable to exhaust available remedies at the Manila court, Lacson then elevated the matter to the Court of Appeals.

Just last week, the Senate leadership suspended Lacson's salary and office budget. Despite this, the senator's staff appeared to be doing business as usual

Sophia Dedace, GMA News TV