The Department of Justice (DoJ) has subpoenaed Senator Panfilo Lacson to respond to the charges of murder filed by the Dacer family against him for the killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer in 2000.

The DoJ panel handling the preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by the Dacer family against Lacson gave him 10 days, or until October 8, to file a counter-affidavit and appear before the DoJ to refute the charges.

The Dacer siblings accused Lacson of masterminding the murder of their father and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

They have also amended their complaint before the DoJ to include former President Joseph Estrada in the list of suspects based on Lacson's accusations in privilege speeches at the Senate blaming Estrada for Dacer's murder while clearing himself.

Lacson's lawyer, Alexander Poblador, objected to the subpoena but his objection was overruled. Poblador reasoned that the Lacson camp needs more time to examine the charred bones and dental plates of Dacer and Corbito before they could prepare a counter affidavit.

The Dacer family, meanwhile, has withdrawn their new witness in the preliminary investigation after Lacson discredited the witness.

Lawyer Demetrio Custodio, who represents the Dacers in the case, said the witness, Lymith Bagual, would be withdrawn as a witness in the preliminary investigation and would instead testify before the actual court hearings to speed up the proceedings.

Bagual is the laundrywoman who allegedly saw and heard Lacson and Dacer arguing in a resort in Batangas a week before Dacer went missing and later found dead.

Custodio said the Dacers would reserve for the actual court hearings the testimony of Bagual which could show that Lacson had motive to have Dacer abducted and killed.