Singson's case won't be affected by hostage mess

VIGAN CITY -- The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is confident that the case of Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson would not be affected by the hostage-taking incident in Manila last month that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong tourists.

Consul General Claro Cristobal said the Hong Kong justice system is independent from other branches of government and as in past cases involving Filipinos, the special administrative region strictly follows its laws.

“We can see in their treatment of cases involving Filipinos in drug trafficking and murder that they strictly follow their laws,” Cristobal said in Filipino in an interview with radio station dzRH.

A Hong Kong judge allowed Singson last month to be temporarily released from jail after the congressman posted a HK$1-million (P5.8 million) bail pending his trial on drug charges at the Chinese special territory.

Singson, son of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson, has been in detention since July 11 after he was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport for carrying 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of Valium, a powerful sedative banned in the territory.

Judge Ernest Michael Lin of the Tsuen Wan Magistrate Court No. 1 granted Singson’s bail petition after local authorities found out the cocaine was not pure and its actual weight was only 6.67 grams.

Singson, however, was not allowed to leave Hong Kong until the court hands downs its verdict on the case.

Lin also directed Singson to submit all his travel documents to Hong Kong authorities to ensure that he does not jump bail and leave the territory.