Foreigners arrested by Chavit plead not guilty

MANILA, Philippines - Four foreigners arrested by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson in his house in January have pleaded not guilty to the drug charges filed against them.

Britons James Gates, 22; Ross Barnaby MacLeod, 18; Jack McLeod, 19; and Australian Arthur Murray Nash, 19, waived the reading of the charges during their arraignment before Judge Elvira de Castro-Panganiban of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 227.

The suspects, who were visitors at Singson’s house in Corinthian Gardens, were caught by the governor allegedly using drugs when he arrived from an out of town trip on Jan. 13.

During the court proceedings yesterday, defense lawyer Elizabeth Macaibay manifested in open court that Singson had allegedly put on record that he will no longer pursue the case.

The judge noted the manifestation but nevertheless scheduled the joint pre-trial and trial on Aug. 14. She said she would issue warrants for the respondents’ arrest if they fail to attend the hearing.

During the preliminary investigation of the case, the respondents filed a counter-affidavit denying the allegations filed against them.

According to the foreign nationals, they met the governor on the stairs of the house as they were about to leave. They claimed that they were all in the house when they were bodily frisked by Singson’s bodyguard, who recovered tobacco from Nash and a cigarette from Gates.

They added that they were friends with Christian Singson, the son of the governor.

In an earlier resolution recommending the filing of charges against the suspects, assistant city prosecutor Irene Resurreccion said the claims presented by the respondents are matters of defense that are best ventilated during the course of the trial.

A specimen allegedly recovered from the suspects also tested positive for marijuana.

On Jan. 18, Quezon City RTC Executive Judge Fernando Sagun Jr. allowed them to post bail as the charges against them are bailable.