Mancao lawyer quits

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio has withdrawn from representing former police official Cezar Mancao III in the court trial for the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

In a statement issued yesterday, he said the reason for his decision is the “inexplicable inaction by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Mancao’s request to be dropped from the information in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case, in accordance with the provisions of the Witness Protection Act.”

“I have consulted with my client, and I informed him I was of the belief that my acting as lead counsel and spokesman for the former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, which has necessitated by taking a critical stance against the DOJ and the Aquino government in general, may be deleteriously affecting his status as a protected witness under the Witness Protection Program of the DOJ,” he said.

Topacio, however, clarified that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima “has been steadfast in her support of Mancao. But recent developments have placed me in the awkward position of being critical of her acts in certain cases filed by the DOJ against the Arroyos, while at the same time having to personally coordinate with her and her department regarding Mr. Mancao. Human nature being what it is, this may affect my relationship with De Lima and may negatively impact on my client.”

Topacio said he had asked the DOJ last June 6 to have Mancao removed as an accused in the double murder case under Section 12 of Republic Act 6981, or the Witness Protection Act. But he said the DOJ has not acted on his request, compromising the status of his client in the case.

He said removing a protected witness from the list of accused is mandatory under the law, “yet I fear that because of who I am, we were not afforded even the courtesy of a reply. In the meantime, my client continues to languish in the NBI compound, after his liberties were suddenly restricted three months ago by the DOJ.”

Topacio said a new lawyer who is “apolitical and non-controversial” may be able to work better with the DOJ. “My priority will always be the welfare of my client over all else,” he said.

Mancao was the principal government witness against then principal accused Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who went into hiding until the Court of Appeals overturned Mancao’s testimony shortly after President Aquino took power in June 2010.