HONG KONG >> A Filipino congressman pleaded guilty Monday to trafficking drugs into Hong Kong last year

after a post-concert cocaine binge in Manila was followed by a spur-of-themoment decision to head to the gambling enclave of Macau. Philippine Rep. Ronald Singson was not immediately sentenced in Hong Kongs District Court pending testimony on whether he planned on consuming the cocaine or sharing it with others a factor that could influence the length of his sentence. He was caught carrying 0.24 ounces of cocaine at the southern Chinese citys international airport in July. Drug trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $640,000. In his own testimony, Singson pleaded for leniency, apologizing to the judge and the people of Hong Kong. The 42-year-old legislator said he used cocaine on and off since 2004. He said he went on a cocaine-and-gambling binge after attending an Usher concert in Manila he helped stage on July 9, frustrated by an argument with his girlfriend. He then decided to join a friend attending a poker tournament in Macau and was arrested while transiting through Hong Kong. Singson, who is on bail, added he was undergoing rehabilitation for his drug addiction. Singson is the son of Luis Chavit Singson, a provincial governor in the Philippines whose testimony in the corruption trial of his former friend, ex-President Joseph Estrada, helped convict the ousted leader in 2007 and secure a life prison term. Estrada was later pardoned.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/Singson_pleads_guilty_in_Hong_Kong_drug_case.html Singson son hires legal team for Hong Kong drug case By Leoncio Balbin Jr. Inquirer Northern Luzon First Posted 18:03:00 07/25/2010 Filed Under: Illegal drugs, Police, Crime

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Philippines Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson said on Sunday that his son, Rep. Ronald Singson, has hired a legal team to represent him in a drug possession case he is facing in Hong Kong. But Singson said he had not spoken to his son and was only relying on reports supplied by Ronalds friends and business associates who have been in Hong Kong.

He said the latest information he received was that a legal team was assisting Ronald, but he could not give further details. Court records from Hong Kong showed that Ronald, 41, was arrested at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport for possession of 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of a sedative on July 11. The records also showed that the court rejected Ronalds application for bail. He has been detained since his arrest. Singson said he did not know the real story behind the arrest. He will tell the story himself when he is available, he said. In an earlier interview, Singson had said Ronald would arrive in the country next week. But reports said Ronald was scheduled to appear in a Hong Kong court on Aug. 19. Singson said he would go to Hong Kong soon to check on his son. The governor also apologized for his sons behavior, saying he would not tolerate the use of illegal drugs in his family and in the companies they have been running. I sincerely apologize for whatever shortcoming my son had committed, Singson told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone on Sunday. In government and in my own companies, I never tolerated [the use of] illegal drugs, he said. The Singson family is engaged in the transportation and construction businesses. The family owns Partas Bus Line, which has more than 200 buses plying various routes in Northern Luzon, and runs the construction firm Satrap. Singson said Ronald, a concert producer and owner of the cable music station, Channel V, went to Hong Kong after his company staged the Manila concert of singer, Usher, on July 9.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20100725-283079/Singson-son-hires-legalteam-for-Hong-Kong-drug-case

Hong Kong judge stands down in Singson drug case

HONG KONG A Hong Kong judge stood down from the drug trafficking trial of Philippine congressman Ronald Singson on Wednesday after receiving a letter with "prejudicial allegations" against the lawmaker.

Singson was arrested at Hong Kong's international airport in July and later charged with carrying a vial of cocaine weighing about 26 grams (0.9 ounces) in his hand luggage. Judge Stanley Chan said in a Hong Kong court Wednesday that he had received a letter a few days ago containing "prejudicial allegations against the defendant."

Chan said he had decided to stand down as he may be perceived to have been affected by the contents of the letter. "The motive and rationale behind the author is not clear," he said. "But the timing is suspicious," he continued, saying "the unproven allegations against (Singson) may be a deliberate act to influence the sentencing" or "to manipulate or disrupt the judicial process." He also said "the content of the letter could not be disclosed in the interests of justice." Chan ordered the letter to be sealed and to be withheld from the next judge presiding over the hearings. A new judge will take over when the trial resumes next Monday. Prior to the peculiar twist of events, Singson appeared to be teary-eyed, hugging family and friends before entering the courtroom. The colourful 42-year-old music promoter had previously indicated through his lawyer that he would plead guilty to the charge of trafficking a dangerous drug, although he insisted it was for his own consumption. Singson juggles jobs promoting US rhythm and blues acts in the Philippines and holding a parliamentary seat. He won a second three-year term in the House of Representatives in May, in the seat long held by his family in the northern province of Ilocos Sur. The legislator is one of seven children by an estranged wife of Ilocos Sur governor and political kingpin Luis "Chavit" Singson, one of the most colorful and controversial political figures in the Philippines. The 69-year-old patriarch was in Hong Kong in August to attend his son's bail hearing, and denied at the time that his son was a drug dealer. "It's a set-up," he told reporters. In Hong Kong, trafficking a dangerous drug carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million ($640,000). A lawyer has formally asked the House of Representative to expel Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson from his post, days after the congressman pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong last Monday. Lawyer Fernando Perito filed his complaint against Singson before the House ethics committee on Wednesday.

Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado, chairperson of the House committee on ethics and privileges, said they may have to invite Perito in their hearings on the Singson ethics case "to determine if his complaint is sufficient in form and substance." "This [ethics complaint] will still be considered by the committee, despite the fact that we have already decided to take jurisdiction of Rep. Singsons case,"Aumentado told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Aumentado was referring to the House panel on ethics decision to start proceedings to determine possible sanctions against Singson, after the lawmaker pleaded guilty to his drug case in Hong Kong. The preliminary investigation on the ethics case is scheduled on February 15, according to Aumentado. Guilty plea Ronald, the son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson admitted before the Hong Kong court that he went on a cocaine-and-gambling binge after attending an Usher concert in Manila he helped stage on July 9, frustrated by an argument with his girlfriend. He likewise said that he decided to join a friend attending a poker tournament in Macau while carrying the illegal drugs, causing him to be arrested while transiting through Hong Kong. It was earlier reported that Singson was not immediately sentenced in Hong Kong's District Court pending testimony on whether he planned on consuming the cocaine or sharing it with others a factor that could influence the length of his sentence. Singson was caught carrying 0.24 ounces (6.67 grams) of cocaine at the southern Chinese city's international airport in July. Drug trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million ($640,000). RSJ, GMANews.TVA lawyer has formally asked the House of Representative to expel Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson from his post, days after the congressman pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong last Monday. Lawyer Fernando Perito filed his complaint against Singson before the House ethics committee on Wednesday. Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado, chairperson of the House committee on ethics and privileges, said they may have to invite Perito in their hearings on the Singson ethics case "to determine if his complaint is sufficient in form and substance." "This [ethics complaint] will still be considered by the committee, despite the fact that we have already decided to take jurisdiction of Rep. Singsons case,"Aumentado told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Aumentado was referring to the House panel on ethics decision to start proceedings to

determine possible sanctions against Singson, after the lawmaker pleaded guilty to his drug case in Hong Kong. The preliminary investigation on the ethics case is scheduled on February 15, according to Aumentado. Guilty plea Ronald, the son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson admitted before the Hong Kong court that he went on a cocaine-and-gambling binge after attending an Usher concert in Manila he helped stage on July 9, frustrated by an argument with his girlfriend. He likewise said that he decided to join a friend attending a poker tournament in Macau while carrying the illegal drugs, causing him to be arrested while transiting through Hong Kong. It was earlier reported that Singson was not immediately sentenced in Hong Kong's District Court pending testimony on whether he planned on consuming the cocaine or sharing it with others a factor that could influence the length of his sentence. Singson was caught carrying 0.24 ounces (6.67 grams) of cocaine at the southern Chinese city's international airport in July. Drug trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million ($640,000). RSJ, GMANews.TV
Singson s expulsion from Congress sought

Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 22:07:00 09/09/2010 Filed Under: Crime, Congress

WE OFTEN get very upset every time we hear stories of Filipinos being discriminated against and branded as liars, thieves or criminals abroad. But the recent illegal drugs case against Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson in Hong Kong is more than enough reminder as to why many countries abroad still look down on Filipinos. As a government official of our country who is supposed to represent the Filipino people, Singson not only brought shame on all of us; his case will also make other countries more suspicious of Filipinos entering their territories. It should no longer surprise us if the Filipinos among the foreigners entering Hong Kong or the United States will be the only ones asked to open all their baggage and take off their shoes. If we want to help restore our good image in the international community, our leaders in Congress should take the lead and immediately strip Singson of his position. If they are truly serious about fulfilling their campaign promises and following the right path to good governance,

President Aquinos allies in Congress, led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, should ensure that such a shameful act committed by a supposed honorable gentleman will not go unpunished. HARVEY KEH, Ateneo School of Government, harveykeh@gmail.com http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100909-291400/Singsonsexpulsion-from-Congress-sought

Singson may keep seat in Congress

Manila Bulletin, Jan 6, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Rep. Ronald Singson (1st District, Ilocos Sur) can still keep his seat in the House of Representatives.This came after leaders and members of the House of Representatives agreed that they would have a tough time expelling Singson even if the Wan Chai district court in Hong Kong convicts the accused legislator with the offense of illegal drug trafficking. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. himself admitted the probability of Singson holding on to his position as a member of the 15th Congress considering the existing rules of the House Committee on Ethics on expulsion cases."Remember this, even if he (Singson) shoots someone in front of people, if you don't get the two-thirds vote of (members in the lower) Congress, theoretically, of course (he cannot be expelled). We need the two-thirds vote," Belmonte explained.Citing the rules in the House of Representatives, the top House official said that the leadership needs two-thirds or a total of 189 votes from 283 lawmakers favoring the expulsion case against Singson.House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales also disclosed that Singson may even evade any sanction from the institution if lawmakers failed to muster the needed votes."He cannot be expelled nor be suspended without the two-thirds vote," Gonzales said in a text message.Critics said that such existing rules have made it easier for the House of Representatives to impeach a president, which would need a onethirds or a total number of 94 votes, than expelling a fellow legislator in the Lower House.Akbayan Party-list Rep. Walden Bello agreed, saying that Singson still has 40 percent chance of clinging on to his post even if an international court would find him guilty of trafficking illegal drugs in Hong Kong."If he is convicted of trafficking by the Hong Kong court, I would give (the) expulsion a 60 percent chance. So it's really much better for all concerned and his own honor if he resigns," Bello said.The party-list lawmaker added that it would still be an "uphill struggle" to expel Singson even if he is found guilty of committing the lesser offense of illegal drugs possession due to the "state of congressional ethics" in the House of Representatives."Given the state of congressional ethics and what Rousseau called as the tendency of parliaments to develop a corporate will as opposed to following the general will, yes, unfortunately (Singson may not be expelled)," Bello said.But Belmonte immediately came to defend the House of Representatives and its rules, saying that the leadership still has to extend due process to Singson, who has been prohibited to go back to the country since his arrest in July."That's in the Constitution. It would be much more embarrassing if we do not follow our own Constitution," he said.Calls for Singson to resign have grown louder in the Lower Chamber

after John Reading, the defense counsel for Singson, told Hong Kong authorities that they will plead guilty to illegal drugs possession to lessen possible sentence of conviction drug trafficking charges last week.
COPYRIGHT 2011 Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. COPYRIGHT 2011 Gale, Cengage Learning

http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/manila-bulletin/mi_7968/is_2011_Jan_6/singson-seatcongress/ai_n56609653/ Senators defend Lacson No basis to compare murder, drug cases By TJ Burgonio, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. Philippine Daily Inquirer Posted date: January 04, 2011

MANILA, PhilippinesThere is no basis for comparing the case of fugitive murder suspect Senator Panfilo Lacson and that of drug-trafficking suspect Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson, whose expulsion from Congress are being sought, according to the senators Senate allies and lawyer. As expected, Lacsons Senate allies rallied around their colleague. Senator Gregorio Honasan said the cases of Singson and Lacson would be dealt with separately by the House and the Senate, and that neither chamber could dictate on the other. Both Houses respect each others independence. The House cant dictate on the Senate, and the Senate on the House, he said. Senator Jinggoy Estrada said the governors demand was premature since no case for expulsion has yet been filed against Lacson. Besides, Senator Lacson has not admitted his guilt. There is no reason for senators to expel him at this point, said Estrada, the Senate president pro tempore. Honasan also claimed that there was nothing to warrant the initiation of an investigation of Lacsons case by the Senate ethics committee. But there is in fact an ethics complaint against Lacson filed last September by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption over his failure to surrender to the authorities.

Senator Alan Cayetano, who is in charge of the case as the committee chair, did not reply to repeated calls and text messages. Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said nothing would come of the Ilocos Sur governors demand as the two chambers hold to their own rules. Besides Senator Lacson is pleading innocent, not guilty, he added. Honasan, Lacsons classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (Class 1971), said he understood where the governor was coming from. Governor Singson is talking as a father. He just wants that the same standards are applied to Congressman Singson and Senator Lacson. I would probably say the same thing if my son were involved, he said. But it will be up to the House and the Senate to deal with the two cases, he said. To plead not guilty Despite the issuance of warrants against him, Senator Lacson enjoys the presumption of innocence and he will continue to do so because being innocent, he does not intend to plead guilty to the charges against him, lawyer Alex Poblador said in a text message on Monday. By contrast, the moment Congressman Singson pleads guilty, he will lose the presumption of innocence and his conviction will come as a matter of course. Unlike Lacson, therefore, he is vulnerable to calls for ouster from his position, Poblador said. Singson was arrested at the Hong Kong airport last July after being allegedly found to be carrying 26 grams of cocaine. He is free on bail but cannot leave the Chinese territory. Singsons expulsion from the House of Representatives became a hot issue among a number of his congressional colleagues after his lawyer said that he would plead guilty to the drugtrafficking charge at a January 26 court hearing. Quit Some House members said the House ethics committee should start expulsion proceedings against Singson even without a complaint being brought against him. Others suggested that he do the honorable thing and resign. Singsons father, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson Jr., angrily reacted to the speculations by suggesting that if there are to be any expulsions, Congress should start with Lacson who has a standing arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in the 2001 murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and the latters driver, Emmanuel Corbito. House to await HK verdict

All the speculations are moot at this point as the House leadership has decided to wait for the verdict from the Hong Kong court before taking action on calls for Singsons immediate expulsion. House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said that like all members of the House, Singson should be presumed innocent until proven guilty and it remained to be seen what verdict the Hong Kong court would hand down. Though Singsons lawyer earlier said he would plead guilty to the drug-trafficking charges, Singsons father insisted that he was making a plea for the lesser charge of drug possession. Lets just wait and see first before we take any formal action, said Gonzales who noted that anything could happen between now and the January 26 court date. House Minority Leader Milagros Magsaysay, who earlier called for Singsons voluntary resignation to spare the House having to undergo a divisive expulsion vote, said that since Congress would not reconvene until January 17 and the Hong Kong hearing is scheduled for January 26, we might just wait for the verdict. No to forced resignation Some representatives believe that a resignation should not be forced on Singson. Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop noted that the image of the House was not really tarnished by Singsons case as the drug charges were personal in nature and the whole institution cannot be blamed for the act of a single member. Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara said: You cant really force him to resign if he doesnt want to, after all resignation is a voluntary act. Having said that, his fate will then be up to the members of the House committee on ethics, subject to the review of the members in plenary. Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles said: Resignation is a personal decision. If he feels compelled to do so or he wants to shield the House from his personal legal battle, the decision is his to make. Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong said: Resigning is the discretion of Congressman Singson and whatever congressional action to be taken is for the House of Representatives to decide. Automatic expulsion Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon on Monday said he would file a resolution to amend the rules of the House that would make expulsion automatic for lawmakers found guilty of a criminal offense by a local or foreign court.

Biazon, chair of the House defense committee, said that after final conviction, the ethics committee could still conduct expulsion proceeding against the convicted lawmaker but only as a matter of formality. Biazon, however, called on his colleagues to wait for the Hong Kongs court final ruling on the drug trafficking case against Singson. It would be precipitate for the House to preempt the decision of which we are not sure. We need to know the gravity of conviction so we can determine the level of penalty, he said. Bishops advice to Lacson, Singson Philippine Daily Inquirer Posted date: January 05, 2011

MANILA, PhilippinesA Catholic bishop has a simple solution for the twin problems roiling Congressfor Senator Panfilo Lacson to surface and face the law and for Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson to resign if found by the House ethics committee to have committed wrongdoing. Lacson, who is wanted for his purported involvement in the 2001 murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito, should have trust in the government he is serving to give him justice, according to Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo. He ran [for senator] so it means he trusts the government ... He has to face the law because, after all, he is a senator of the law, Bagaforo on Tuesday said over Church-run Radio Veritas. As for Singson, who is facing drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong, Bagaforo said: If he committed no offense, then his conscience is okay and the law will also make a judgment on his innocence. Bagaforo admitted that he knew little of the legalities in the House of Representatives. But if its ethics committee proves that Singson committed misconduct, the most honorable thing for him to do is resign, the bishop said. Singson was arrested in July 2010 at the Hong Kong international airport after being found in possession of 26 grams of cocaine and two tablets of diazepam (a sedative marketed as Valium). He was eventually allowed to post bail but is prohibited from leaving the Chinese territory. Lacson has been at large since January 2010 despite government efforts to find him here and abroad. Bagaforo said Lacson and Singson should set a good example for the citizenry.

But this is whats happening... the bishop pointed out. It only shows that there is something lacking in their service, and that their [avowed] intention to serve the country is not sincere. JPE echoes colleagues A number of Singsons colleagues in the House have demanded his expulsion from the chamber. But his father, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson, countered that Congress should first make an example of Lacson. On Tuesday, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile told reporters in a phone-patch interview that only the chamber could discipline Lacson but that it had no basis and was in no rush to do so. Hes a senator, Enrile said. Its only the Senate that can exercise disciplinary action over him. In the same manner, Singson can only be disciplined by the House, Enrile said, adding: And if they ask for his removal, thats a problem of ethics. That hes taking drugs and hes a member of the House of Representatives, that means he brought dishonor to the [chamber]. Besides, theres no point of comparison in the cases of the two lawmakers, Enrile said, echoing his colleagues. Enrile pointed out that the act of Lacson for which he is charged happened when he was not yet a senator, and that even if he was a member of the Senate only, the courts can decide whether hes guilty or not guilty. In Singsons case, his act happened when he was a member of [the House], Enrile said. While theres no warrant for his arrest [here], hes under arrest in Hong Kong. In fact, according to the papers, hes about to plead guilty to the charge leveled at him by the Hong Kong authorities... Enrile said. Talk among lawmakers about Singsons expulsion surfaced after his lawyer John Reading said the congressman would plead guilty to drug trafficking charges at a January 26 hearing in the former British colony. No basis Enrile also said the Senate had no basis to initiate disciplinary action on Lacson because the court had yet to rule on the Dacer-Corbito case. How can we discipline him if theres a case against him? Suppose we discipline him and the court says hes not guilty. Then what? Enrile said. In the case of Singson, he was caught redhanded and was in fact arrested by the Hong Kong police. Hes now detained there.

Enrile also cleared Lacson of the ethics case filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption in September 2010 over the latters refusal to surrender to the authorities. Theres no ethical misconduct on his part, Enrile said. He has been charged, and a warrant issued for his arrest. He has decided not to come back to the Philippines because of that warrant of arrest. Theres nothing unethical there as far as I can see it. Im sure that will be how others will look at it. Enrile added that there was no urgency for the Senate ethics committee chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to tackle Lacsons case. What is the urgency? To kick him out of the service? He has a case pending. Suppose the court will say hes not guilty. Then what is our basis? Enrile said. No automatic expulsion At the House, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said representatives seeking Singsons expulsion should go through the process of getting the majority vote, or 189 votes of 283. Belmonte told reporters that Singson was guaranteed due process under the Constitution even if the Hong Kong court found him guilty of drug trafficking. Even if you gun down a person in front of other people, but if you dont get the two-thirds vote of Congress, [you cant be expelled]. Theoretically, the two-thirds vote is required. That is in the Constitution. It will be more embarrassing if we have a Constitution and we do not follow it, he said. The Speaker refused to comment on the prospect of having a confessed cocaine user among the lawmakers tackling bills on illegal drugs. I dont want to make a personal opinion because I [will be part of those voting], said Belmonte, who had earlier opined that if Singson decided to seek reelection, he would not win in the Speakers district in Quezon City. [House members] can say whatever they want as long as it is their personal opinion. The official action of the House is to give due process to Congressman Singson, and due process starts now. There is no such thing as automatic expulsion, Belmonte said. The Speaker said he would hand over the official documents on the case to the chair of the House ethics committee, Representative Eric Aumentado, at the resumption of session on January 27 to get the ball rolling on the inquiry. Among the documents is the report of a two-member panel sent by the House to Hong Kong last November to witness the court proceedings and gather official papers.

We do not want to just rely on media reports, Belmonte said. Same yardstick Reacting to the senators defense of Lacson, House Deputy Minority Leader Milagros Magsaysay said Congress, whether the Senate or the House, should use the same yardstick in dealing with colleagues in conflict with the law. In the private [sector] or in government-owned and -controlled corporations, if you [are absent without leave], youre kicked out. So what makes a senator privileged with this kind of behavior? Magsaysay said in a phone interview. I cant interfere with the workings in the Senate. Thats their call ... But as a legislator, I am just reacting to what Governor Chavit Singson said, she said. Last weekend, Magsaysay joined Akbayan Representative Walden Bello in calling for Singsons expulsion. But Magsaysay on Tuesday said the only difference between Lacson and Singson was their plea of guilt or innocence. She pointed out that Lacson had maintained innocence but went into hiding instead of fighting it out in court. She added: As elected public officials, we should be beyond reproach. Although Senator Lacson has not been sentenced [or found] guilty in the murder case theres a different set of standards for public officials. We should conduct ourselves differently. The mere fact that for over a year he has been hiding from the law, isnt that a violation of the law? He has not performed his duties as a senator. What happens to his responsibility to the people who voted for him? Isnt he supposed to fight for his constituents? ... How can he perform effectively if he keeps on hiding? Chavit is right Sought for further comment, Bello said: As a fugitive from the law, Lacson should resign or be expelled from the Senate. Of course, there is no constitutional provision that he should be expelled. But there is an overwhelming ethical reason. Bello said Lacson and his allies in the Senate should not observe double standards. You cant be a public official while defying the law. I do not see the difference in the two cases: Public ethics demands the resignation of both. So Chavit is right: If you demand [Singsons] resignation, you also demand that of [Lacson]. No double standards, Bello said. Reports from Jocelyn R. Uy, TJ Burgonio, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. and Michael Lim Ubac

Senate wont rush ethics case vs Lacson Enrile By TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer Posted date: January 04, 2011

MANILA, Philippines Only the Senate can discipline fugitive Senator Panfilo Lacson but has no basis and is in no rush to do so. With this pronouncement, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile doused cold water on Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit'' Singson's call for Congress to expel Lacson, who has been wanted for double murder, ahead of his son, Representative Ronald Singson, who has been facing trial in Hong Kong for cocaine possession. "He (Lacson) is a senator. It's only the Senate that can exercise disciplinary action against him,'' Enrile told reporters in a phone-patch interview. Lacson, who is facing charges for the 2000 twin murders of publicist Salvador Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito, has fled the country and been at large since January 2010. In the same manner, only the House of Representatives could discipline Representative Singson who has been facing drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong, Enrile said. "And if they ask for his removal, that's a problem of ethics. That he's taking drugs and he's a member of the House of Representatives, that means he brought dishonor to the House of Representatives,'' he said. Besides, there would be no point of comparing the cases of Lacson and the younger Sinson, said the Senate President, echoing his colleagues. "The act of Lacson for which he is charged happened when he was not yet a senator. Even if he was a member of the Senate, only the courts can decide whether he's guilty or not guilty,'' he said. "Now in the case of Congressman Singson, his act happened when he was a member of the House of Representatives. While there's no warrant of arrest against him, he's under arrest in Hong Kong. He's in fact, according to the papers, about to plead guilty to the charge leveled against him by the Hong Kong authorities for possession of drugs, and maybe for using drugs,'' he said. "So there's no parity; there's no comparison between Ping Lacson and the case of Congressman Singson.''

Talk among lawmakers about the younger Singson's looming expulsion surfaced after his lawyer John Reading said he would plead guilty to drug trafficking charges in a January 26 hearing in the former British colony. Miffed by the speculations of his son's expulsion, Governor Singson suggested that Congress make an example of Lacson first. The younger Singson was caught with a vial of cocaine in his luggage at the Hong Kong international airport in July 2010. Enrile also said that the Senate had no basis to initiate a disciplinary action against Lacson since the court has not ruled on the Dacer-Corbito case. "There's none. The matter is for the courts to decide whether the charge against him is true or not. How can we discipline if there's a case against him? Suppose we discipline him, and the court says he's not guilty. Then what?'' he said. "In the case of Singson, he was caught red-handed, and was in fact arrested by the Hong Kong police. He's now detained there,'' he added. Enrile also cleared Lacson of any "unethical conduct" in connection with the ethics case filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption against him, and saw no urgency for the ethics committee to tackle the case. "There's no unethical conduct on the part of Ping. He's been charged, and a warrant of arrest is issued against him, and he decided not to come back to the Philippines because of that warrant of arrest. There's nothing unethical as far as I can see it. I'm sure that will be how others will look at it,'' he said. The VACC filed the case in September 2010 over Lacson's failure to surrender to the authorities. Enrile said there was no urgency for the ethics committee, chaired by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, to tackle the case. "What is the urgency? To kick him out of the service? He has a case pending. Suppose the court will say he's not guilty, then what is our basis?'' he said. DESPITE calls from some House members to expel Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson from his post, a lawmaker said Monday it would be best to wait for the final plea of their colleague. Marikina Representative Romero Quimbo told Sun.Star that as far as the Singson case is concerned, House rules states that any action against its member must be deferred until the final judgment is rendered.

We will have to wait until January 26, the date when Representative Singson is expected to enter his final plea, he said in a text message. Lawyers representing Singson said the lawmaker will enter a guilty plea to the drug possession charges against him. Last August, the House leadership sent Quimbo, vice chair of the House justice committee, to Hong Kong to observe the court proceedings in the drug trafficking case against the Ilocos lawmaker. Asked if he will be flying back to Hong Kong for the January 26 hearing, Quimbo said: I am not sure but I dont think so. Ive been able to put in place a feedback mechanism from our HK consulate through which the House gets its feedback. Resignation call Meanwhile, some lawmakers have already urged Singson to resign from his post following his admission of guilt on the charges against him. Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay told Sun.Star that Singsons admittance showed that he is guilty of violating the law. Though I will support Cong. Singsons expulsion once a guilty verdict is handed down, being his colleague, I know that he will do the honorable thing of resigning to spare the burden of going through an expulsion process in Congress, she added. Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio also said Singson should resign once he pleads guilty for the sake of the dignity of the House and the welfare of his constituents. Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao added that when news broke out that Singson was arrested for possessing illegal drugs; his case has already tarnished the image of Congress. In the face of the imminent disciplinary proceedings, it is incumbent upon Rep. Singson to resign as representative. The time for clinging to ones position despite facing public scandal and using ones position to evade accountability has ended with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos regime of impunity, she noted. Cebu Representative Gabriel Quisumbing charged the House ethics committee to investigate the matter. Im sure the committee on ethics will take all the evidence and court proceedings into consideration during their deliberations and come up with a report that is fair, he told Sun.Star. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said the ethics committee, chaired by Bohol Representative Erico Aumentado, will investigate Singsons case.

Singson was arrested in July at Chek Lap Kok International Airport for possession of 26 grams of cocaine. The Ilocos Sur lawmaker is out on bail but cannot leave the Chinese territory. Lacson reacts on comparison On the other hand, the counsel for fugitive Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday cried foul over comments that the Senate legislator should lose his seat over a warrant of arrest issued against him. Lawyer Alex Poblador said it was not fair to compare Lacson and Singson, saying the senator is still innocent despite having a warrant on the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. Singson will no longer have the presumption of innocence if he admits to drug possession, the lawyer explained. Ronald's father, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, said Lacson should be expelled from the Senate first for being implicated in the murder case. (Kathrina Alvarez/Jonathan De Santos/Sunnex) http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/lawmaker-urges-colleagues-wait-singson-s-finalplea