The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday that it has cancelled the regular and diplomatic passports of Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson is accused in the Dacer-Corbito double-murder case in connection with the death of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November, 2000. The solon is currently in hiding.

The DFA said the move to cancel Lacson’s passports is pursuant to 2010the order of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 18, and the letters-request of the Department of Justice (DoJ).

The Dacer family has also written the DFA through its counsel, Ongkiko, Manhit, Custodio, and Acorda Law Offices, requesting the cancellation of Lacson’s passports.

Last August 12, the DFA notified the senator, through his residence address and at his Senate office, as well as through the office of his counsel, of DFA’s receipt of the court order and the DoJ letter-requests.

The Department conveyed to him and his counsel that should the senator or his counsel wish to present his views to the DFA, he or his counsel may communicate with the DFA Office of Consular Affairs.

The DFA said it has yet to receive any communication from Lacson or his counsel on the matter.

The Manila RTC hearing the Dacer-Corbito double-murder charges issued an arrest warrant against Lacson last February 5.

Lacson reportedly flew out of the country last Jan. 5, even before the same RTC could have resolved his pending motion for judicial determination of probable cause.

Malacañang said the cancelation of Lacson’s is proof that he is undergoing a regular legal process.

“I think the Department of Justice (DoJ) is just following the legal process so ang nakikita natin dito [so what we’re seeing here is that] Sen. Lacson is undergoing the regular legal process,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP) Secretary Ricky Carandang said.

He also said it would help if Sen. Lacson returns to the country to enable him to shed light on the issue against him.

Former police Senior Superintendent Cezar O. Mancao II is gratified over the cancellation of Lacson’s passport.

Mancao’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said his client is gratified by the latest development. (With reports from Madel R. Sabater and Jeamma E. Sabate)