Chavit spurns cousin’s offer of reconciliation

CANDON, Ilocos Sur — A likely showdown between the two rival Singson camps in the province looms after the reconciliation and coalition offer of former second district Rep. Eric Singson appeared to have been rejected by his estranged cousin, Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

Last Tuesday, Chavit proclaimed this town’s re-electionist mayor, Ramon Balbin, as official candidate of the ruling Lakas-NUCD, of which he is now the regional chairman.

Supporters of Eric, who heads the local opposition group, earlier expressed confidence that Chavit would agree to a compromise deal.

In previous weeks, Eric aired his offer to reconcile with Chavit in various radio interviews. He told dzVV Bombo Radyo last week that it would be good for the province if its leaders would patch up their differences and be united in solving its problems.

"Pagsayaatan ti probinsiya tayo no agkaykaysa dagiti lideres na (It’s good for our province if its leaders are together)," he said.

Before this offer, Eric, who supported deposed President Joseph Estrada during the political crisis, was singing a different tune. During the impeachment trial, he went on radio exposing Chavit’s alleged anomalies in running the province.

Political observers believe that Chavit’s proclamation of Balbin is a "clear rebuff" of Eric’s reconciliation and coalition proposal.

Candon is the hometown and political base of Eric, whose wife Grace is the incumbent second district representative and son Allen this town’s vice mayor.

The compromise formula between the two feuding Singsons would have Eric and Grace running unopposed as congressman and Candon mayor, respectively, while Chavit’s gubernatorial slate would be unchallenged by Eric’s camp.

Chavit has been mum on Eric’s offer, but first district Rep. Salacnib Baterina, a Chavit ally, was batting for what he called "reconciliation with justice."

But with the proclamation of Balbin who will challenge Grace Singson, political analysts said it is now all systems’ go for former Narvacan mayor Edgardo Zaragoza, Eric’s brother-in-law, whose earlier self-declared bid for governor Eric had put on hold.

Chavit earlier "anointed" Vice Gov. Deogracias Savellano and his brother, board member Jerry Singson, as his camp’s candidates for governor and vice governor, respectively.

The tandem, however, has met objection from several mayors who wanted anyone from Chavit’s family to succeed him. Chavit is on his third and last term and is no longer eligible for re-election.

At the local cable TV program Enkuentro iti Amianan last Saturday, Baterina, one of the public prosecutors in Estrada’s impeachment trial, said he was displeased that Eric did not support Chavit’s battle against the deposed president.

Baterina showed his appointment paper signed by Lakas-NUCD secretary-general He-herson Alvarez, replacing Eric as Lakas provincial chairman.