Singson, Crisologo make peace

VIGAN CITY — The hand of reconciliation extended by comebacking Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson to his political rivals has started to bear fruit here after his old and bitter foe, the Crisologo family, crossed over and made peace with him.

Newly elected Rep. Vincent "Bingbong" Crisologo (First district, Quezon City), a native of this city, was one of Singson’s guests during his birthday party attended by President Arroyo.

Crisologo’s presence had surprised the local folk who were witnesses to the bloody encounters between the Singson and Crisologo camps in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

"It is the time of healing and it’s a nice Christian act to be forgiving," an astonished but excited Fr. Loreto Viloria, parish priest of Sta. Lucia, said in his radio program at dzNS.

Viloria used to pacify the two camps during the heydays of their rivalry.

Singson said he has learned to forgive and forget and even extended his help for Crisologo’s candidacy in the last election.

"I am happy to be here," Crisologo told newsmen during Singson’s birthday party, after more than three decades of absence from public view in the province.

Singson and Crisologo were cousins. Bingbong’s father, former Rep Floro Crisologo, is the brother of Chavit’s mother.

At his birthday celebration, Singson also expressed his readiness to reconcile with former President Joseph Estrada. But fearing that his peace offering may be rejected, he said he prefers instead that the first move come from Estrada’s side.

Singson parted ways with the former president, his erstwhile pal in October 2001 after he exposed the later’s alleged corruption activities. The expose led to Estrada’s impeachment trial and consequently his ouster.

Ilocos Sur’s political kingpin said that it’s time for the politics of hate to be set aside and everyone should unite and work for the country’s progress.