Palace hands off on Singson fate

MANILA, Philippines - It would be up to the leadership of the House of Representatives to decide how to deal with the case of Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson who was recently convicted of drug trafficking in Hong Kong, Malacañang said yesterday.

Speaking over government-run radio station dzRB, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said Singson’s ouster would be up to the House leadership under Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

“That matter is between the House (leadership) and Congressman Singson,” she said. “It’s between the legislator and his fellow legislators. At this point, we should not be making any comments on that issue.”

Belmonte, an ally of President Aquino in the Liberal Party, said it would be best for Singson, son of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson, if he resigns from the House of Representatives.

“I know there is a strong clamor (for Singson’s resignation),” he said.

“We are not telling him what to do. Sariling move niya (It’s his move), but I think he has to resign,” he said.

“The whole world is looking at how we (will) decide this, but we (lawmakers) will always observe fair play and due process,” he added.

In an overseas phone interview from Hong Kong, the older Singson told ABS-CBN News Channel he has advised his son to resign from his elective post “out of delicadeza.”

The Commission on Elections said a caretaker, in the person of a neighboring lawmaker, could temporarily take over Singson’s district, or the poll body could arrange a special election for the purpose of replacing the congressman.

Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said Congress could order the holding of a special election.

“Without commenting on the merits... there could be a caretaker, someone from the nearest district. (Or) we could hold a special election. Those are the two options,” he said.

But an uncle of Singson, himself a member of the House, appealed to their peers to await Singson’s release from prison before beginning expulsion proceedings.

Quezon City Rep. Vicente Crisologo, a cousin of Singson’s father, said their peers should observe due process and give his nephew a chance to defend himself.

“I’m not protecting him,” he said. “As one congressman said, if there’s anyone who would be happy with Singson’s expulsion, it should be me because our families used to be political enemies in Ilocos Sur.”