MALACANANG on Monday supported the cancellation of passport of Senator Panfilo Lacson to compel him to go back to the country and face his charges in courts.
"The legal process that is taking place and we need to honor that because it is the duty of the executive department to implement the laws of the land," said Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Sonny Coloma.
The Department of Foreign of Affairs (DFA) through an order from the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 cancelled the diplomatic and regular passports of the Lacson who remains a fugitive after eluding warrant of arrest for double-murder case.
"The directive was for the DFA and the National Burea of Investigation to bring Senator Lacson to court in order to answer the charges that have been filed against him," Coloma said.
He also noted that the Palace has no jurisdiction to decide on the appeal of Lacson to cancel his warrant of arrest.
"Wala naman pong discretion ang ating executive branch tungkol d'yan dahil nga ang primary agency na concerned dito would be our courts," he said.
He likewise said that the decision on cancelation of salary and house arrest will also be in the discretion of the courts.
He meanwhile advised the son of Lacson - Ronald, who served as his mouthpiece, to direct his appeal to the courts and not to the executive department.
Coloma assured that the authorities are doing its best to track down Lacson and to bring him to court upon his arrest.
"No person is above the law and any person that is under the jurisdiction of the court must submit to such jurisdiction and follow its lawful orders," he said.
He vowed that under the government of President Benigno Aquino III, Lacson can expect a fair treatment in his case.
"We have a new government which is fully committed to equal and full protection of our citizens under our laws. We will give protection to every citizen including Senator Lacson," Coloma stressed. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)