Singson digs in for 2010

by Joyce Pangco Pañares


DEPUTY National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson left for the US yesterday, saying he would resign from government upon his return to prepare for the gubernatorial race in Ilocos Sur.

He left for the US for business meetings and a routine medical checkup. Before returning to Manila, Singson said he would swing by Las Vegas for the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto.

Singson, a three-term governor of his home province from 1992 to 2001, said he plans to file his certificate of candidacy on Nov. 20.

“There are still so many things I can do for my province. There are many foreign companies that are planning to invest in Ilocos Sur,” the outgoing official said.

Appointed by President Gloria Arroyo as deputy national security adviser last year, Singson has stayed out of the limelight since his common-law wife Rachel Tiongson accused him of domestic violence in September.

He ran and lost during the 2007 senatorial polls under the administration ticket Team Unity.

After testifying against deposed president Joseph Estrada on a case of plunder, Singson was appointed by Mrs. Arroyo as her adviser for Northern Luzon in 2003.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he would be “very stringent” in granting travel authority to administration officials leaving for the US for the sole purpose of watching the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

“I will not be very liberal in giving travel authority if these officials only want to watch the fight. As for elected officials, they will be answerable to their constituents if they still decide to push through with the trip,” Ermita said.

Still, the Palace official admitted that some Cabinet men “may have other reasons for going to the US, such as medical checkups. And those who will not be allowed, we cannot prevent them from filing for an official leave. That is due them also,” Ermita said.

Aside from administration officials, at least 20 lawmakers have left for the US, including House Speaker Prospero Nograles who is a member of Team Pacquiao.


Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/november/5/nation1.isx&d=/2009/november/5