PNS -- FUGITIVE Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson would yield himself soon.

Thus said newly appointed National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Lito Banayo.

Banayo, dubbed as a Lacson man along with new National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula, said Lacson may return to the country and surrender within the next few weeks.

Quoting sources close to Lacson, Banayo said Lacson has not returned to the Philippines since he left in January fearing his arrest in connection with the Dacer-Corbito murder case.

“It’s only a matter of time before he comes back to the country,” Banayo said, quoting his sources as he denied having made contact with the senator while he was in hiding.

Banayo was Lacson’s campaign manager when the senator ran for president in 2004.

Lacson was put on the Interpol’s red list after leaving the country last January, a month before a warrant for his arrest was issued by the court.

The senator is facing two counts of murder for the killing and kidnapping of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.