Chavit says of new raps: Old, discredited tales!

VIGAN CITY — Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson denounced yesterday his local critics as "election losers" who could not accept defeat and are now under contract with former President Joseph Estrada to put him down.

Singson laughed off the new charges filed against him, saying documents would expose them as "old, discredited tales."

Officials and local residents led by Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano held a rally yesterday in support of Singson.

Addressing the rallyists in front of the provincial capitol, Singson identified four of his critics as poll losers — losing gubernatorial bet Efren Rafanan, former Vigan Vice Mayor Liborio Arca who lost his reelection bid, lawyer Estelita Cordero who lost her bid to become Ilocos Sur board member and Ariale Ilustre who lost his vice mayoralty bid in Sinait town.

He denied the charge that he committed technical malversation by allocating and disbursing P24.7 million for various infrastructure projects and post-harvest facilities, saying the law allows realignment of funds.

He also said that the provincial government has documents to prove it never bought the P26-million property that critics claim was overpriced.

Singson also contradicted claims that a backhoe loader was not delivered, saying its delivery was merely delayed. — Teddy Molina