Malacañang is hopeful that justice would be soon served for the Mabasa family following the filing of murder complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and other suspects in connection with the ambush-slay of veteran broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge and undersecretary Cheloy Garafil said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is "very much aware" of the developments on the murder case of Lapid, whose real name was Percival Mabasa.

"He (Marcos) is very much aware of the situation. Hopefully, it will pave the way for justice to be served to the family of Mabasa," Garafil told reporters.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation have filed murder complaints against Bantag, BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, and persons deprived of liberty linked to the death of Lapid and the supposed middleman in the case earlier identified as Jun Villamor.

The PDLs facing murder complaints were identified as Mario Alvarez, Joseph Georfo, Christam Ramac, Ricky Salgado, Ronnie de la Cruz, and Joel Reyes.

Investigators also found that Bantag had the motive to order the killing of Lapid because of the latter's critical remarks against the former on his radio program, "Lapid Fire."

Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding assailant on 3 October in Las Piñas City.

Family assistance

Meanwhile, a lawmaker who was the first to donate P100,000 has asked his colleagues in the House of Representatives to make voluntary contributions in order to raise P5 million as financial assistance to the family of Mabasa.

Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. filed House Resolution 508, seeking the assistance of other lawmakers to raise another P5 million in aid to Mabasa's kin.

To recall, the lower chamber offered a P5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Mabasa's death, with Speaker Martin Romualdez saying that the bounty was funded by personal contributions from House members who were shocked and disturbed by the killing.

Citing reports that Mabasa's family has also been receiving death threats from unknown persons, Barzaga believed that awarding a reward is commendable for the prompt apprehension of the perpetrators of the crime.

"This representation, taking into consideration the plight of family members, slain journalists like Percival Mabasa, believes that we must also provide financial assistance to the heirs of the deceased commentator," Barzaga said.

Under the resolution, all donations, regardless of amount, must be remitted to Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who would then give the accumulated amount to Lapid's family.

The voluntary contributions must be made no later than 30 November 2022.