Comelec urged: disqualify Singson

LAOAG CITY -- Two disqualification cases were filed the Wednesday against Ilocos Sur congressional bet Ronald Singson before the Commission on Elections.

In a petition, lawyer Bertrand Baterina, Singson’s rival in the May 13 polls, said under Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code, the former lawmaker is not qualified to seek a congressional seat because of his conviction for drug trafficking in Hong Kong in February 2011.

Baterina, who is running under the Liberal Party, said Singson should be barred from seeking an elective post within five years “from the service of sentence on or about January 2012 or until January 2017.”

“The crime of drug trafficking is a crime involving moral turpitude which, under Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code, provides that a person convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude is disqualified as a candidate or to hold a public office,” he added.

Singson was dropped from the roster of the incumbent House of Representatives following his conviction in Hong Kong.

In the second disqualification case, Baterina accused Singson of violating Republic Act 7166 or the law on synchronized national and local elections concerning the use of police security by candidates.

Last April 20, he said a police patrol vehicle of Vigan City filled with armed Special Weapon and Tactics personnel allegedly served as back-up vehicle of Singson’s convoy.

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