EDITORIAL - An irony and a shame

With no more impediment standing in the way of his coming out from hiding, Panfilo Lacson ought to surface very soon. And among the things he is expected to do immediately is reassume his seat in the Philippine Senate.

His colleagues in the Senate are likely to welcome him, if not with open arms, then at least with a firm handshake. For it is the unspoken rule in that exclusive circle, that if they cannot treat one another with respect, they should at least accord one another some deference.

It may be a totally different matter, however, with the public. Lacson cannot just easily reassume his role as a lawmaker without first having to publicly explain his blatant disrespect for lawful judicial processes.

That the courts eventually nullified the arrest warrant issued against him in connection with his alleged involvement in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case does not exculpate him, at least in the eyes of the public, from his refusal to submit himself to the ambit of the law.

Initially, Lacson claimed persecution by the previous administration. When power changed hands and it eventually became evident nothing can be farther from the truth (nobody persecutes a mighty senator in this country), he was forced to admit the reason for his flight.

According to Lacson, he cannot see himself being handcuffed. It is, of course, very easy to take him up on such arrogance. But even that is not the likely reason. As a senator, he can of course be arrested. But he can also expect certain courtesies, such as not getting handcuffed.

The real reason is that Lacson refuses to submit to the law. And while it must be clear to him that a trial is not synonymous with conviction, he cannot see himself submitting to a process that, ironically, is what his whole life is all about: A cop and a senator.

Lacson had been a law enforcer and now a lawmaker. He should be the first to respect the law. But when required to account before a court of law, he not only obstinately refused, he made a mockery of it by fleeing. And now he may reassume his seat as senator. What a crying shame.