Former President Joseph Estrada described Thursday as baseless and hearsay allegations in a court trial identifying him and his Philippine National Police (PNP) director-general, now Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, as masterminds behind the 2000 killing of publicist Salvador ‘’Bubby’’ Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, in Cavite.

Expressing surprise over his being linked to the double murders, Estrada told Senate reporters during a briefing at the Senate building that he could not see any reason why his name is being dragged in the case since he considers Dacer a very good friend as he was his “kumpare” or godfather on two occasions.

Estrada said his family has never been linked to any criminal activity.

He also said there is no motive for him to order the liquidation of Dacer.

The former President stressed that he is ready to face the case in a public hearing at Plaza Miranda so that the public could keep track of the proceedings and know the truth.

Based on published stories relating to the trial on the Dacer-Corbito case at the Manila regional trial court, former PNP colonel Cesar Mancao II reiterated his statement that Lacson and Estrada were behind the 2000 murder of Dacer and Orbito.

This was revealed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of Mancao, after the hearing on the double murder case before the sala of RTC Judge Myra Garcia-Fernandez.

“The truth of the matter is I did not know him. As President, I don’t talk to all those people. I don’t macro-manage my style of managing my presidency. So, I don’t bother because this is plain and simple hearsay.

At the same time, it is a demolition job, diversion tactic so that we will forget the $20,0000 dinner,’’ Estrada said.

Estrada was referring to the controversial dinner by President Arroyo and her entourage while on a visit to the US. The dinner at the Le Cirque restaurant in New York City cost $20,000 or almost P 1 million.

For his part, Lacson said he is mulling lodging a disbarment complaint and a civil suit against Topacio for foisting a ‘’script’’ on his client to implicate personalities in the Dacer Corbito case.

Lacson said Topacio showed malice when he put a spin on Mancao’s testimony on the case before the Manila RTC.

“Once I get hold of the transcript from the Manila RTC, I am contemplating on filing criminal and administrative charges against Topacio. As a lawyer, he should respect the code of ethics of his profession. Needless to say, and for the nth time, I have nothing to do with the Dacer-Corbito case,’’ he said.