Chavit arrested over cyberlibel case, freed on bail

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was arrested by police in Quezon City yesterday after authorities served a warrant of arrest against him in connection with a cyberlibel case.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said operatives of Police Station 12 arrested Singson, 84, at his residence in Barangay Ugong Norte at around 1:18 p.m.

The arrest stemmed from an arrest warrant issued by Branch 21 of the Regional Trial Court in Vigan City for alleged violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Singson was brought to Police Station 12 for documentation and processing.

Police said the court recommended bail of P60,000, which Singson immediately posted, allowing his temporary release.

For his part, Singson said that “it is an honor for me to be arrested” for cyber libel.

He accused President Marcos of beig behind the filing of the case, saying “those speaking against corruption are the ones being arrested by the government but those thieves plundering the public money are going scot-free.”

He also accused Marcos of being the mastermind of the flood control mess involving billions of pesos of government money. – Jun Elias