The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Thursday disclosed that Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is facing two counts of murder charges in connection with the Dacer-Corbito case, has sent surrender feelers to the government.

In a press briefing, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, however, clarified that Lacson’s surrender feelers was not directly sent to her but to other concerned individuals whom she refused to divulge.

Lacson is in the Interpol’s Red Notice in connection with the 2000 killings of PR man Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

De Lima, who presided over a close-door meeting with NBI Director, lawyer Nestor M. Mantaring, said she has to discuss confidential matters with President Benigno Aquino III.

“I will, I have to discuss certain things with President Noynoy based on the other confidential matters that I got from Director Mantaring,” she said.

She added that “at this point, confidential pa ang pinag-usapan namin. Sabi nga may mga kumakalat na nasa bansa na daw. (At this point, our discussion is confidential. There are talks that he (Senator Lacson) is already back in the country),” she said.

However, De Lima said there is no confirmation yet if Lacson indeed managed to slip back to the country.

“Wala rin akong confirmation. Although, I get to receive certain text on his alleged whereabouts and that he is already in the country. NBI itself does not have any confirmation. NBI also said they have been receiving certain information that Senator Lacson is already in the country,” she said.

De Lima said what she knows is that Lacson remains in Rome. “From Hong Kong to Rome, and then they lost tract,” she said.

She said they are closely monitoring the situation in light of this report. “But, I think, Senator Ping Lacson has plans to go back to face the charges and to confront the criminal cases,” she said.

De Lima noted that there is a pending warrant of arrest issued by the court and the case of Lacson will be handled under regular process.

“As to the custody, we have yet to come out with a decision on that. But of course under the regular process, upon arrest he will be brought to the nearest jail [pag hinuli dadalhin sa nearest jail),” she said.

As to the option for re-investigation, she said “that is something I have to discuss with the prosecutors. If they intend to file a petition then we will take a look at that, and of course study that before we make any action. Let’s see kung ano magiging grounds nila sa petition for reinvestigation.”

Asked the possibility of using Lacson as a state witness, de Lima noted that there is a rule to follow. “Mahirap yan kasi siyempre may mga elements, and one very important element is that the accused should not be the most guilty, it does not say the least guilty, ang sinasabi sa rules should not appear to be the most guilty.”

She said the DoJ will carefully study their options, stressing the department will likely oppose if the senator files his motion to post bail before the Regional Trial Court. “It’s an admission that an evidence is not strong or weak, the DoJ or prosecutors cannot admit that its evidence is weak,” she said.

Two days before the filing of the case in court, Lacson flew to Hong Kong via Cathay flight CX-904. Judge Myra Garcia-Fernandez, then Manila RTC Branch 18 Presiding Judge, issued a warrant of arrest on February 5, 2010.

The Supreme Court designated Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina, of the Manila RTC Branch 32, to handle the Dacer-Corbito case after Judge Fernandez of the Manila RTC 18, was promoted as Court of Appeals Associate Justice last March.

The DoJ gave credence to the affidavit submitted by former police officer Cezar Mancao II, the physical evidence gathered from the crime scene and affidavits of other witnesses which have been presented as part of the evidence of the prosecution against other accused who are now under trial at the Manila RTC.

Mancao, in his affidavit, accused Lacson as the one who ordered the execution of Dacer and his driver under the Oplan Delta.

The justice department recommended no bail against Lacson and stressed that the senator cannot invoke parliamentary immunity from arrest and detention as it is only applicable for crimes punishable below three years.

If found guilty, Lacson may be sentenced to a maximum of life imprisonment under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

Apart from Lacson, some 21 former policemen and civilian agents of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) have been charged before the Manila RTC in connection with the Dacer-Corbito case.