The government's intelligence teams should focus on Abu Sayyaf instead of concentrating on newly-elected Senator Panfilo Lacson, said former president Joseph Estrada.

"They should be sent to Basilan to do their intelligence work. So many civilians have already been beheaded," said the former president, in reference to Abu Sayyaf's recent beheading of 10 hostages in a village near the town of Lamitan, in Basilan. The group is holding 21 hostages.

"They should not spend so much money sending people to the United States for intelligence work. All they have to do is go to Basilan and locate the Abu Sayyaf leaders," said Estrada.

Intelligence reports allege that Estrada and Lacson have millions of dollars in joint accounts abroad. Estrada did not deny the allegations.

Earlier, former first lady Loi Ejercito said she would resign from the senate if it could be proved she has secret bank accounts in Hong Kong, as alleged in the report made by Col Victor Corpus, who heads the intelligence team.

The New Nationalist Alliance (Bayan) and the Plunder Watch Network, meanwhile, called on the Department of Justice to file, immediately, appropriate charges of plunder against Lacson and Estrada. They are also eyeing impeachment charges against Lacson, who was elected to the Senate in May.

"The cases involving Lacson and Estrada are the litmus test for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's commitment to good governance and moral recovery. The challenge is to put these two crooks behind bars.

Unfortunately, given her wavering stance on the Estrada plunder issue, there is a lack of political will for such a feat," said Bayan Secretary General, Teodoro Casino.

Plunder Watch convener Fr. Joe Dizon said: "If the government is confident on the veracity of reports on Lacson's unexplained wealth, nothing should stop the swift filing of all possible charges against him."

Bayan also accused Lacson of various crimes ranging from murder, torture, human rights abuse and kidnapping.

But Lacson and Estrada's allies in the military, police and the government bureaucracy will do everything for their protection, said Casino and Dizon.