Singson as state witness?

Sen. Franklin Drilon wants the government to use Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson as a witness in the criminal cases to be filed against ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Speaking at the Bulong Pulongan media forum at the Westin Philippine Plaza in Manila yesterday, Drilon said the Rules of Court and the Witness Protection Law could be the legal basis to stop Singson’s prosecution.

Drilon said Singson’s allegations that Estrada had received payoffs from illegal gambling operators ignited the chain of events that resulted in Estrada’s ouster.

Singson, along with 11 others, faces charges of plunder, malversation of public funds, falsification of documents, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. – Aurea Calica