Supreme Court designates new judge to handle Dacer-Corbito case

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has designated a new Manila regional trial court (RTC) judge to handle the double-murder case of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.

The SC designated Manila RTC Branch 32 Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina to handle the murder case after Judge Myra Garcia-Fernandez, who was originally handling the case, was promoted to Court of Appeals associate justice last March.

SC spokesman and court administrator Midas Marquez sent a text message to reporters confirming Medina’s new assignment.

Marquez said the designation of Medina would only be as “acting presiding judge for that (branch).”

Medina would handle the trial of the double-murder charges filed against several suspects led by fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson who went into hiding after receiving word he was implicated in the murders, and several members of the now-defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

Fernandez had earlier issued a warrant of arrest against Lacson.

Medina is set to conduct the hearing this Friday after one of the accused, Margarito Cueno, filed a petition to undergo medical check-up outside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) premises.

There were reports that presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has vowed to abide by the rule of law and he denied that he would work for Lacson’s acquittal once he is proclaimed president.

Neither the Department of Justice (DOJ) nor the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has concrete information on where Lacson is hiding.

A motion to cancel the Philippine passport of Lacson has already been made before the court.

The International Police (Interpol) has also issued a Red Notice for the arrest of Lacson.

NBI Interpol chief Claro de Castro Jr. had said the 188 member-countries of Interpol are now hunting Lacson after he was included in the Interpol Red Notice last Feb. 11, 2010.

De Castro said that with Lacson in the Red Notice list it would be easier for the NBI to locate him with the assistance of the 188 member-countries of Interpol.