Hunted Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson is expected to return to the country and resume his legislative duties in the Senate when the 15th Congress convenes, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Sunday.

Enrile said he expects Lacson’s return to also boost Liberal Party Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s bid for the Senate leadership.

He said a decision by Lacson to return under an administration led by President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, would be sound as the wanted senator could expect a fair trial for the November 2000 murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Lacson is accused of masterminding the abduction and killing of Dacer and Corbito.

“As a lawyer, I have no doubt that Lacson would be back after June 30. He was anxious over the Arroyo administration because he had a clash with the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is only natural for a person to fear retaliation,” Enrile said over radio DZBB.

“In the Aquino administration, I think, based on his calculation, he will have a fair treatment. That is his thinking. I am not saying that Arroyo’s administration is harsh but that is what Lacson said himself, that the Arroyo administration is persecuting him,” he further said.

Enrile said he is also certain Lacson will participate in the Senate’s voting for the next Senate presidency and will back Pangilinan’s candidacy.

Lacson, he said, is a strong critic of Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. whom he accused of benefitting illegally from the government’s C-5 road extension projects and other anomalies.

“I think Ping will go with them (Liberal Party),” said Enrile.