I would be surprised if Lacson is not named as one of the three suspects

...who received classified information in the Aragoncillo/Aquino "espionage" case.

The other former public official who may have received is Lito Banayo. I have no clue who the third is.

Kasi nung unang sumabog ang balita na ito, I noticed na mahina yung denial ni Lacson, unlike before nung binibira siya ng Arroyo admin re narcopolitics, kuratong, the handcuffs case and his so-called "hidden bank accounts" in the US.

Read his initial reaction re Espionagegate on Sept. 13, 2005:

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday stressed he has nothing to do with spying against the United States.

Reacting to reports that Michael Ray Aquino, former police official and Lacson’s aide, was arrested over the weekend in New York for espionage, Lacson also warned National Bureau of Investigation Reynaldo Wycoco “not to politicize the matter against two fellow Filipinos.”

Also arrested was a Federal Bureau of Investigation intelligence analyst Leandro Aragoncillo for downloading documents on the Philippines, several of which were classified secret. Diaz said the documents were passed on to Aquino electronically.

Lacson admitted receiving e-mails from Aquino but said that these were mostly compilations of articles about Philippine political situation and “which were largely news that have been seen and read in our local media.”

“I don’t recall having received any information sensitive to the US government,” he said.

Two points:

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday stressed he has nothing to do with spying against the United States.

But Aragoncillo/Aquino were not accused of gathering evidence vs. the US. They were accused of stealing FBI information on Filipino politicians (like the Pidals, I assume).

United States Attorney Christopher J. Christie declined to characterize the information that the two men are said to have passed. While the information did not involve terrorism or national security directly, he said: "Crimes like these strike at the heart of our national security because they involve our keeping our secrets secret. These defendants will face the full weight of federal prosecution."

Isa pa na napansin sa statement ni Lacson that day:

Lacson admitted receiving e-mails from Aquino but said that these were mostly compilations of articles about Philippine political situation and “which were largely news that have been seen and read in our local media.”

“I don’t recall having received any information sensitive to the US government,” he said.

Not exactly a categorical denial na he got "classified information", is it?

And the "I don't recall" line Lacson is using is the same type of weaselly and evasive answer being used by the likes of Gen. Carlos Garcia.

Variation rin yan ng "I invoke my right to privacy" at "I have the right to remain silent" ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Jose Pidal, and Iggy Arroyo.

re his this article sa "Be Not Afraid" website na Ninoy is "a patriot," siguro natatakot lang si Lacson na "kumanta" si Michael Ray at mag-cooperate siya sa mga feds, kaya Lacson is trying not to say anything negative about Aquino.

The full text of the criminal complaint against Aquino and Aragoncillo can be accessed here.

In the end, if Lacson did really get classified info na incriminating sa mga Arroyo's at mga kaalyado nito, sana i-post na niya lahat sa internet bago siya ma-extradite sa US, para mabasa natin lahat. LMAO!

UPDATE: Since lumabas na ang e-mail correspondence between Aragoncillo/Aquino and Public Official #1, #2, and #3, maybe the media can ask the suspects kung sa kanila napunta yung email na yan.

At least the 3 suspects now know kung sino yung tinatarget ng FBI.