MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Gregorio Honasan on Thursday appealed to his fellow mistah from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Sen. Panfilo Lacson, to surface and face the murder charges filed against him for allegedly masterminding the murders of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver, Emmanuel Corbito.
Speaking to ANC, Honasan said he and his colleagues in the Senate all want Lacson to face the music, defend himself and have his day in court.
"Please, mistah, please classmate. We have conveyed this to his son. Please surface. This is practically a no-brainer. He must face the process. We will be here to give you moral support but you have to face the music," he told ANC's "Headstart".
Honasan said Lacson's continued refusal to submit himself to authorities could erode his political capital. He also said that the senator's decision to remain in hiding could affect his family.
Lacson has been in hiding for almost a year now to evade a warrant issued by a local court for his arrest. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the senator could be hiding somewhere in Manila.
In his latest statement, Lacson said he would rather die than surrender. He claimed he would rather suffer in pain that do time in jail for a crime he did not commit.
Honasan said he earlier floated the idea that the Senate issue a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the DOJ or the courts "look at the body of evidence that may warrant a reinvestigation resulting in the lifting of the warrant of arrest."
Other senators, however, opposed the idea since it could be seen as unduly influencing the courts. "So I backed off but I have done my duty," he said.
Asked if Lacson's conduct could be seen as disorderly behavior by the Senate, Honasan said: "No. We have to go through the rigors of due process. Until he makes a decision, we cannot, we must not pass judgment."
Honasan said Lacson's case should not be compared to his own case when he went into hiding for allegedly participating in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny.
"I was charged with a political offense. I chose to avoid capture. I was morally convinced I would not get a fair deal. You face a court that fabricated evidence...so I evaded arrest. I felt that justice was not present," he said.
