MANILA, Philippines—Cezar Mancao II’s bid to run for congressman of Compostela Valley under the Lakas-Kampi party only showed how "strong’’ the latter was with the administration, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the administration party’s support for Mancao’s political plans was just among the rewards that his former police aide-turned-accuser got from Malacañang.

"I would rather not comment (on what these are) but I heard he got many rewards,’’ said Lacson, whom Mancao had accused of ordering the killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby’’ Dacer in December 2000.

Lacson also said he had many supporters in Compostela Valley, noting that Mancao’s mother used to be his "ardent’’ supporter.

"And I am being informed by most of my supporters there, that if Mancao was starting his bid (by falsely testifying against me), he would probably not be supported there,’’ he added.

Lacson said it was very clear that the government was persecuting him and that Mancao had participated in that persecution.

Before he was extradited from the United States this year, Mancao had executed an affidavit alleging that he overheard Lacson ordering the killing of Dacer during a car ride with him and another former Lacson police aide, Michael Ray Aquino

But Lacson said Mancao’s testimony was shattered after Sen. Mar Roxas had backed him up saying that he was with him during a trip in the US on the day supposedly where Mancao overheard the kill order against Dacer.

"If he can lie through his teeth in an affidavit, how will his constituents (in Compostela Valley) believe him?’’ the senator also said.