MANILA, Philippines—Lawyer Felisberto Verano, the controversial legal counsel of two of the suspects involved in the drug case, should be called to the inquiry at the House of Representatives to shed light on his connections to Justice officials and his actions related to the drug case of his clients, a lawmaker said Monday.

Bayan Muna party list Representatives Teodoro Casino said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez should also make an appearance in the hearing to explain what his meeting with Verano was all about.

Verano, counsel for Joseph Tecson and Richard Brodett, is also a fraternity brother of Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor in the Order of Utopia, which is based at the Ateneo de Manila School of Law, and of professor of State Prosecutor John Resado at the Far Eastern University.

Blancaflor's name was dragged into the case after he called up Major Ferdinand Marcelino of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to ask why the three suspects have not yet been released despite a release order.

Resado drafted the resolution that dismissed the case because of the illegal warrantless arrests and warrantless searches on the vehicles of the three suspects. It was approved by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno.

The resolution also noted the excessive use of force against the respondents, pointing to several grave improprieties of the PDEA agents such as the mauling of Brodette while his hand were tied and the shooting of the right front tire of a Honda Accord. It also pointed to seven other bullet holes. Marcelino denied this.

On Monday's hearing, Blancaflor confirmed that he found out that it was Verano who drafted the release letter to be signed by Gonzalez that would have pave the way for the release of the three drug suspects.

Gonzalez did not sign the order.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also instructed authorities not to release the three amid a review of the resolution, according to Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Vicente Sotto III.

"Secretary Gonzalez and Atty. Verano have to explain what their meeting was all about and why after the said meeting Verano, through his frat brod, Undersecretary Blancaflor, sent a draft release order to Gonzalez for his signature," Casino said in a text message.

"I urge both men to attend tomorrow's hearing to clarify such disturbing action," he added.

The hearing on the drug case will resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday.