Press statement of Senator Chiz Escudero

ON MANCAO'S TESTIMONY

I caution those who are out to take advantage of former police officer Cezar Mancao to vilify former President Joseph Estrada and Sen. Panfilo Lacson -- both leading figures of the opposition.

The re-opening of the double murder case is intended to obtain justice for the late Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Manuel Corbito, and not to serve anyone's selfish, political agenda.

The government should take extra care in handling the prosecution of those allegedly involved in their murders and prevent the proceedings from taking a political turn.

The latest developments come at a time when former President Estrada's ratings have surged in the latest surveys, causing sleepless nights for some administration officials. Again, I urge Mancao to be steadfast in telling the truth and resist any attempt to make use of his testimony to serve political ends.