Bookkeeper’s fate hangs on Sen. Lacson’s mood

Bookkeeper Rowena del Rosario may yet get to go home today (Thursday)—it will depend on which side of the bed Sen. Panfilo Lacson gets out of this morning.

Del Rosario was ordered detained by the senators for supposedly failing to tell the “truth” during their inquiry into the allegedly anomalous Philippine National Police helicopters deal.

Del Rosario is a bookkeeper in the company owned by the family of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who is accused of selling used helicopters to the PNP. She was cited in contempt for telling “lies” about the Arroyo company and ordered arrested on Aug. 21.

But on Wednesday the senators indicated Del Rosario may just be released on “humanitarian considerations.”

Committee chair Sen. Teofisto Guingona III said members would meet Thursday to discuss the fate of Del Rosario.

“We know that she has children. Who knows? Maybe one or two senators might just move to lift the contempt (citation) so she could be released,” said Lacson who had initiated the expose on the chopper deal.

Asked if Del Rosario might be freed Thursday, Lacson said in Filipino: “It will depend on how I wake up in the morning… possible, very possible. I woke up well for two days now.”

The committee investigation is set to resume at 9 a.m. Thursday, with Lacson expected to present yet another witness.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday urged Del Rosario’s husband to write the blue ribbon committee to request her freedom. The husband earlier filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus after the committee cited his wife for contempt.