Malacañang is hoping that justice will finally be served to the family of the slain broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa after those who were supposedly involved in the killing were named by authorities.
Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil said this after suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Gerald Bantag and BuCor's Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta were charged as "principals by inducement" in the case.
In an interview with reporters, Garafil said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was already aware of the situation.
She added that they were now hoping that justice would finally be served.
"The President is aware of the situation, and hopefully, it will pave the way para talagang justice will be served for the family of Mabasa," Garafil said.
Aside from Bantag and Zulueta, several persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were also charged for the killing of Lapid.
In a statement during the press conference, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said:
"It was found through the investigation that both Director-General Gerald Bantag and DSO Ricardo Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor.
Lapid was fatally shot by gunmen riding a motorcycle along Aria Street in Las Piñas City on October 3.
Last month, President Marcos rejected criticisms that he was "silent" about the case and said he was just only letting the authorities do their job.
"We do not have any particular directives. The police know what to do. I'll just get in the way," he said.
Garafil has assured Filipino journalists that Marcos remains committed to protecting them as he considers them an essential pillar of democracy.
In a speech last month, Marcos assured media members that he remains committed to upholding the right to free speech and press freedom.