DILG clears Miriam’s husband of jueteng payoff raps

Investigators at the Department of the Interior and Local Government have cleared the DILG’s No. 2 man, Undersecretary Narciso Santiago Jr., of any involvement with illegal gambling bosses.

After accusing President Estrada of receiving bribes from jueteng operators, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson made similar allegations against Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s husband.

In his three-page report to Interior Secretary Alfredo Lim, chief investigator Almario de los Santos said "information and intelligence reports coming from the field" gave no indications that Santiago was involved in illegal gambling.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Calinisan, Central Luzon police commander, said not once did Santiago figure in illegal gambling operations in Tarlac, according to De los Santos’ report.

Calinisan said his men have arrested about 1,850 illegal gamblers and seized about P1.8 million in gambling money from January to October this year, the report stated.

Other police officials in the region and local government officials likewise belied Singson’s allegation, the report said.

"This will prove that Singson is a desperate man who maligned me to stop Sen. Miriam Santiago from doing her job as senator of the Republic. This is pathetic and may he get all the karma he deserves," Santiago said, reacting to the findings.

After being subjected last month to relentless hostile questioning from Miriam Santiago, a pro-Estrada senator, Singson alleged that her husband was on the take.

Santiago is investigating Singson for administrative liability after the former presidential drinking buddy alleged last month that he acted as Mr. Estrada’s bagman.

Singson’s allegations against the President touched off a political firestorm that is now threatening to topple the Estrada administration and wreck the already-weak economy.

The political opposition has been demanding Mr. Estrada’s resignation, saying the sooner he goes, the better it would be for the economy.