Chavit takes new rap lightly

VIGAN CITY — As in the first two graft complaints filed against him in the Office of the Ombudsman, former Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson has taken lightly the third complaint alleging that he had illegally diverted P30 million in tobacco funds.

Singson told reporters yesterday that realignment of funds is a "normal" practice which local governments resort to to carry out priority projects.

Singson said the money, part of the P200 million in tobacco excise tax funds released to the province by former President Joseph Estrada, was realigned to fund various projects, including post-harvest facilities and infrastructure and livelihood assistance programs.

The Save Ilocos Sur Alliance (SISA), which filed all three graft complaints, questioned the fund diversion.

Singson earlier said Estrada got P130 million of the P200 million as kickbacks.

"Awan banagen dagitoy ipil-pila da (These cases they have filed will go nowhere)," Singson said.

He said the provincial board had passed a resolution allowing the P30-million fund to be realigned and that its subsequent use for various projects had legal basis.

Singson voiced concern that SISA is allowing itself to be used by Estrada’s camp to get back at him for triggering the former president’s downfall.

"Someone close to Erap is their conduit," he claimed, admonishing SISA’s rank and file "who may not know what’s happening" to be circumspect of their peers.

He said the graft complaints were meant to malign him.

"The backhoe is back in the province," Singson said, referring to the first complaint where SISA alleged that the P9.5-million equipment did not exist.

The backhoe is at present displayed in front of the provincial capitol. Its supplier claimed that they pulled out the original unit for repair and that they delivered a new replacement unit.

On the second complaint involving a P26-million land deal, Singson said the provincial government did not spend any amount for it. He did not elaborate.