‘Desperate move: Case filed vs Chavit’s sons for ‘vote-buying’

By Teddy Molina

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur -- An election offense case was filed Tuesday before the Commission on Elections against the sons of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson for allegedly engaging in vote-buying.

Charged were incumbent Ilocos Sur Rep. Ryan Singson and former congressman Ronald Singson who are running for governor and congressman, respectively, under the Nacionalista Party. 

The brothers’ disqualification was also sought in a separate petition filed by Tagudin Mayor Roque Verzosa Jr., the official candidate for governor of the Liberal Party (LP). 

Verzosa said Barangay Captain Joan Tabangcura facilitated the money and prizes donated by the Singsons for the “Nalasin Got Talent” contest and raffle draw during the village fiesta last April 21 to 22. 

He said the Omnibus Election Code prohibits a candidate from giving and receiving contributions for partisan political activity.

Verzosa said the donations were primarily given to support the respondents’ candidacies.

He said the respondents should be disqualified from the elections.

He said pending the resolution of the petition, the Comelec should suspend the proclamation of any of the respondents in case they win in the elections.

           

Ryan, who is the Nacionalista Party’s gubernatorial bet in the May 13 elections, has dismissed as a “desperate move” the filing of a disqualification case against him and his brother, congressional bet Ronald by his opponent, Tagudin Mayor Roque Verzosa.

Verzosa, the Liberal Party’s candidate for governor, charged the two sons of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson of vote buying. 

It’s a desperate move by a losing candidate,” Ryan said. “I was not even there at the Nalasin fiesta, how could I give money during an event where I was not present?”     

For his part, Ronald said he and his brother have been posting big leads in all surveys.

“The point is we never engage in vote buying. We don’t do that because we don’t need to buy votes, as we are leading by a wide margin in all surveys,” he said.

Ronald’s disqualification was also sought earlier by his rival, lawyer Bertrand Baterina, LP congressional bet in the province’s first district.  

“Why does he not just campaign and present his programs of government,” said Ryan who was campaigning in his rival’s hometown when news broke out that Verzosa had sought his disqualification.   

He challenged Verzosa to show what he has done in Tagudin where he is now on his third term.

Ryan alleged that progress has been stalled in Tagudin for the past nine years, adding that he has done much more in the first district in the less than two years that he served as congressman.  

The Singson brothers said they have not received yet an official copy of Verzosa’s complaint.

“I’m in Tagudin right now,”, the NP bet said Tuesday. “There is no covered court, the roads are only one lane.”