Liberal Party standard bearer and senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III raised on Thursday the possibility that Malacañang would be using the filing of murder charges against Sen. Panfilo Lacson to cover up the Maguindanao massacre which implicates a strong ally of President Arroyo as the major suspect.

Aquino believes that the double murder charges filed against Lacson in connection to the killing of public relations man Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito would be the administration’s way of diverting the issue on the murder of 57 people in Maguindanao province where among those killed were journalists.

Aquino said he is wondering why the Department of Justice (DoJ) filed the charges against Lacson at a time the public is “all-eyes” on the Ampatuan trial.

“Posible (cover-up sa Ampatuan) lalo na habang nalooban ang Kapitolyo ng Maguindanao,” Aquino said when asked of the issue.

Aquino strongly cited politics as the reason behind the murder case against Lacson as he expressed hope the courts will guard itself against Malacañang’s ploy.

“We hope that justice will be served by deciding on the merits of the case and not because of any political considerations,” Aquino said.

Senator Francis Escudero also expressed surprise over the DoJ’s move, questioning why Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera considered the “conflicting and mere hearsay testimonies given during the on-going trial.”