MANILA, Philippines--The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has cancelled the regular and diplomatic passports of Senator Panfilo Lacson, pursuant to the order from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, Branch 18, and the letters-request from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a statement issued Friday, the DFA cited the court order on July 23 directing the National Bureau of Investigation and the DFA to ``take the proper steps in order that Senator Lacson, who is alleged to be out of the country, may be brought back to the Philippines pursuant to the warrant of arrest issued by this court so that he can be dealt with in accordance with law.?

Then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera wrote the DFA on February 9 to ask the cancellation of Lacson?s passports. This request was reiterated by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in another letter on August 5.

The DOJ letter written by Devanadera read in part: ??at the time he left the country, Senator Lacson knew about the impending filing of criminal charges against him for the murder of Salvador ?Bubby? Dacer, a public relations practitioner, and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito. Also, despite it being reported in all the newspapers that a warrant of arrest was issued against him, Senator Lacson refuses to return to the Philippines. In view thereof, Senator Lacson may already be considered a fugitive from justice, thus, warranting the cancellation of his passport pursuant to the aforecited provision of the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.?

The DFA statement also said the Dacer family has also written the DFA through their legal counsel Ongkiko Manhit Custodio and Acorda Law Offices, requesting the cancellation of Lacson?s passports.
On August 12, the DFA notified Lacson through his residence address and at his Senate office, as well as through the office of his legal counsel, of DFA?s receipt of the court Order and the DOJ letter-requests.

The Department conveyed to him and his legal 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 Department has not received any communication from Lacson or his counsel on the matter as of date, the statement said.

Lacson is accused in the Dacer-Corbito double-murder case in connection with the death of noted publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.

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

Lacson flew out of the country on January 5, even before the Manila RTC could have resolved his pending motion for judicial determination of probable cause.