Chavit says jailed son can run for congressional post

By MydsSupnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur- Defending his son, Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson expressed optimism  Wednesday  that his son Ronald Singson who is running for congressman in the province’s 1^st district would not be disqualified to run for the position as representative of Ilocos Sur since his conviction was decided by a foreign court.

Gov. Singson’s statement followed a disqualification case filed by Bertrand Baterina, running for congressman, against Ronald who was Ilocos Sur congressman before he was convicted for a drug case in Hong Kong in 2011.

Briefing local newsmen here,  Ronald laughed off his opponent’s allegations that he is not qualified to run and hold public office owing to his previous case of drug case outside the country.

“Hindi naman na convict dito sa Pilipinas si Ronald kundi sa labas ng bansa. Ang batas natin na sinusunod ay yong ginawa dito sa bansa at hindi yong batas sa ibang bans aang basehan,” said the older Singson.

Last 2010 congressional election, Ronald defeated Baterina by a big margin of votes.

Some Ilocos Sur constituents said the former can easily defeat the latter come May 13 polls due not only to his accomplishment during his stint as congressman but also due to the influence and charisma of his father Gov. Chavit Singson..

Baterina said in his petition for disqualification that anyone who is convicted by final judgment in a case involving moral turpitude is no longer qualified to run for  public office under the Omnibus Election Code.

But Ronald Singson disputed Baterina’s allegations, saying his conviction was outside the country, saying his disqualification does not apply in the country because he was convicted in a foreign court.

Singson said he is confident that he would win back his seat which he lost in late 2010 after he resigned as congressman after his conviction for drug possession in Hong Kong.

Singson, who was jailed in 2010 in Hong Kong for possessing cocaine and Valium, said his constituents are satisfied with his performance and his projects.

“For now, I don’t see any problem. I just focus on my campaign, I put everything behind me and whatever happened in the past, I already paid for it,” Singson told media here last week.

The young Singson, however said his father, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, would replace him in case he is disqualified.

Another Chavit son, Randy Singson is running for governor after the old Singson preferred not to run for governor to concentrate on their businesses.