ILOCOS REP SINGSON PLEADS GUILTY IN HK / SENTENCING ON FEBRUARY 17
[PHOTO - Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson is interviewed by the press as he leaves the Hong Kong court yesterday. HONG KONG]
MANILA, FEBRUARY 2, 2011 (STAR) By Carina Roncesvalles – Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson pleaded guilty to drug trafficking before the Wan Chai District Court yesterday.
Speaking in court during direct examination, the 42-year-old Singson attributed his drug use to depression from his breakup with actress Lovi Poe, and anxiety over financial losses in the Usher concert his company had produced.
"I have never been more remorseful in my life," he said.
Singson also apologized to the judge and the people of Hong Kong.
"This is a very big mistake and in the process I have ruined my reputation," he said. "I have caused embarrassment to my family and brought pain to the woman I love."
Singson told the court the 6.67 grams of cocaine found in his possession were intended only for his own consumption.
"I have no intention to traffic in drugs," he said.
"If you allow, I will compare the drugs seized from me to a man drinking a large amount of alcohol. I know that this is just the beginning of my problems. I still don't know what I'll face back home. I ask your honor to find in your heart to forgive me. I ask that you find within the bounds of law to give sentence."
He is undergoing rehabilitation for his drug addiction problem, Singson said.
Singson said he took cocaine from July 9 until July 11 when he was preparing for his trip to Hong Kong.
"We already knew that we are going to lose money, despite the ticket sales and sponsorships," he said.
"It was just because of the too high fee because of the bidding war."
Singson said he and Poe had an argument during the Usher concert after she saw his former girlfriend with whom he has a two-year-old daughter.
"We had a breakdown of communications," he said.
"We got into an argument and towards the end of the concert, she walked out. I was upset, empty and agitated."
Singson said he intermittently used cocaine during the after-concert party and while playing at the casino, where he lost HK$3 million.
"Because I was still upset and agitated, I went to the casino in the same hotel of the party," he said.
"I decided to gamble and it lasted until the following day. I told my friend to get me more cocaine.
"I stayed in the casino, I didn't even sleep for two nights. During those three days, I have taken drugs intermittently and consumed up to 11th of July prior to my departure to Macau via Hong Kong."
Singson said he just packed his luggage a few hours before his 7 p.m. flight to Hong Kong last July 11.
They were supposed to take a 10 p.m. ferry to Macau to attend a poker tournament when they were arrested by customs officers, he added.
Prosecutor Virginia Lau told the court the cocaine seized from Singson had a retail value of approximately HK$15,791.60 (P89,634.28).
During cross-examination, Lau questioned Singson on his plan to stay in Hong Kong for only two days.
Lau argued that the 14.8 grams of drug powder found in his possession were beyond his normal usage of four grams a day.
In response, Singson said he had no plan of sharing the cocaine with his companion, Benjamin Liobing, or his business associates in Macau.
He would have discarded the unused drugs by flushing them down the toilet like "in the past," he added.
Singson told the court he was introduced to cocaine in 2004.
"I have been taking drugs intermittently," he said.
"In 2004, I was able to control it and I was abstinent from 2004 to 2006."
Singson said he was re-introduced to cocaine in 2006 on social occasions.
His drug use lasted for over a month, he added.
Singson said after being elected to Congress in 2007, he had experienced depression and consulted a psychiatrist.
He was diagnosed to be in a state of major depression and was prescribed anti-anxiety and sleeping pills, he added.
Singson said towards the end of 2007, he "reverted back to his old habit of using cocaine" which lasted six to eight months.
He used to consume three to five grams of cocaine a day, he added.
Singson said he did not use illegal drugs from 2008 to 2009.
But in December 2009, he used cocaine again until the early part of 2010, he added.
Singson said the 2010 election caused him to abstain from drugs because of the campaign.
"I was trying to build up my image as congressman," he said.
Singson said shortly after the May 2010 elections, he reverted to using cocaine.
"The pressure of faltering business, re-elections, and involvement with a high-profile actress were just piling up," he said.
The hearing on Singson's drug trafficking case will resume today.
His lawyer John Reading said they will present two medical experts to support their defense that the drugs seized from Singson were only for his own consumption.
The prosecutor will also call two medical experts to counter the defense's claim.
Lawmakers call on Singson to resign
Lawmakers have renewed calls for Singson to resign after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said Singson's admission to drug trafficking and use has made his status now as a member of the House of Representatives untenable.
"It is now incumbent on the House ethics committee to initiate proceedings for his suspension or expulsion from Congress," he said.
"Either that or he resigns. That is the sad consequence of his wrongdoing."
Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said Singson has clearly failed to measure up to the public's high standard for a lawmaker.
"Once you enter a guilty plea, there's no way out of it," he said.
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said it would be better if Singson spare himself and the House from expulsion proceedings at the ethics committee.
"It's (resigning) the most decent thing he (Singson) can do," he said.
Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, who was tasked by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to closely monitor the trial in Hong Kong, said the House leadership must immediately ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to secure an official copy of the court ruling in Singson's case to allow the House to formally act on the matter.
Quimbo declined to comment on calls for Singson to resign as he is a member of the ethics committee that would hear his case.
Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado, ethics committee chairman, said they cannot act on calls to expel Singson unless a formal complaint is filed, and until the courts render a final decision.
Singson may appeal his sentence, he added.
Quimbo said a complaint may be filed before the Office of the Speaker or the ethics committee.
"The same may be filed by an ordinary citizen under oath or by the chamber itself by a vote," he said.
On July 1 last year, Singson was arrested at the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport for bringing in 14.8 grams of powder containing 6.67 grams of cocaine and two tablets of nitrazepam.
Two plastic bags of 1.51 grams of powder containing 0.65 grams of cocaine, and two tablets of nitrazepam were also found in his checkbook.
Another plastic bag containing traces of cocaine was found in his wallet. After a body search, a plastic bag of 12.26 grams of powder with 5.58 grams of cocaine; a glass bottle with 1.02 grams of powder containing 0.44 grams of cocaine; and a plastic spoon containing 0.01 grams of powder containing cocaine were found in his underpants.
His companion, Liobing, who was charged with drug possession, was subsequently deported. – With Paolo Romero
Singson sentencing postponed to Feb. 17 By Carina Roncesvalles (The Philippine Star) Updated February 02, 2011 12:00 AM
[PHOTO - Rep. Ronald Singson speaks to reporters outside the Hong Kong District Court yesterday. AP HONG KONG]
The Wan Chai District Court here yesterday deferred the verdict on Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, who pleaded guilty to trafficking 6.67 grams of cocaine.
District Court Judge Joseph Yau ordered the adjournment and reset the hearing to Feb. 17.
The order came even after yesterday's hearing focused on the question of whether Singson brought the drugs for his own consumption.
Three defense witnesses had already testified that Singson could have used four grams of the illegal drug for a day.
According to Singson's defense lawyer John Reading, it was possible for the Ilocos congressman to personally consume 14.8 grams.
Defense witness Dr. Wayne Moran said Singson has admitted to taking cocaine since 2004.
Moran said Singson has already built tolerance to the drug because of continuous use.
Moran added that even if Singson withdrew from his cocaine binge years back, he still has the same tolerance level.
Prosecution witness Dr. Lam Ming, however, claimed it was impossible for a person to consume four grams of cocaine in a day.
He disputed the claims of Singson that he could use around 10 grams of the substance by snorting it.
"If the drug is administered the intranasal way, it will be very difficult to imagine that he can take 10 grams within 24 hours because of the nasal constriction effect of cocaine. Of course a person can take 10 grams within 24 hours by oral injection," Lam said.
Prosecutor Virginia Lau said they still have to present two customs officers as witnesses in the next hearing.
Singson pleaded guilty on Monday to drug trafficking but stressed the 6.67 grams of cocaine found in his possession were for personal use.
Reading argued several mitigating factors in favor of Singson in the effort to lower the sentence.
He said the admission of drug use for personal consumption, remorse, and Singson's stature as legislator and businessman could be considered as mitigating factors.
Singson said he started using the drug heavily following a spat with his girlfriend actress Lovi Poe.
Singson claimed he became depressed after a breakup with Poe, making him seek solace in cocaine.
He also claimed becoming depressed having lost HK$ 2 million in his company-produced concert last July 9.
Singson was apprehended last July 11 at the customs arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport for trafficking in 14.8 grams of powder containing 6.67 grams of cocaine, and 2 tablets of nitrazepam.
Two plastic bags of 1.51 grams of powder containing 0.65 grams of cocaine, and two tablets of nitrazepam were found in his checkbook. Another plastic bag containing traces of cocaine was found in his wallet.
After body search, a plastic bag of 12.26 grams of powder with 5.58 grams of cocaine; a glass bottle with 1.02 grams of powder containing 0.44 grams of cocaine; and a plastic spoon containing 0.01 grams of powder containing cocaine were found in Singson's underpants.
In its summary of facts, the prosecutor said the cocaine seized from Singson had a retail value of approximately HK$ 15,791.60 or P89,634.28.
Ody Lai, a Filipino barrister based here, said Singson is facing two years imprisonment. Lai explained the sentence for trafficking six grams of prohibited drugs usually starts with three years imprisonment.
A guilty plea would mean a one-third discount from the jail sentence, Lai said.
"The starting point for sentence, given six grams, is approximately three years. But it's possible that the sentence would start with 34 months since the arithmetic is not always exact. It's possible to be lenient in his case if they would say that it's for personal consumption," she said.
Lai, however, stressed these factors don't mean that the court would consider lowering the case of drug trafficking into possession.
She added that good behavior while in jail could also mean a one-third discount from the sentence, to approximately 16 months.
Lai also said the drug trafficking charges usually carry imprisonment sentence but the ordinance also carries a maximum fine of HK$5 million (P28.5 million).
"But of course, I haven't seen a case of trafficking in dangerous drugs with only fine. The fine is provided in the ordinance, but the judge can give both the imprisonment and fine. But most of the time, they imprison you," Lai said.
She said the case of Singson would now depend on the discretion of the judge.
"It all depends on the judge. But our case law in Hong Kong is so strict on the period of imprisonment. If they want to punish him more than just this period of imprisonment, then imprisonment plus fine. But sometimes it's difficult to double the sentence. Then they can appeal," she added.
FROM ABS-CBN
Solons call on Singson to resign after guilty plea By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News Posted at 01/31/2011 5:10 PM | Updated as of 01/31/2011 11:33 PM
[RONALD SINGSON AND HIS FATHER CHAVIT SINGSON]
MANILA, Philippines - Colleagues of Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson crossed party lines to call on him to resign after he pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking charge in Hong Kong.
However, at least one of his colleagues indicated that resigning now may only pave the way for Singson to come back to Congress at a future date.
Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay said, "As far as I'm concerned, I maintain my position that anybody who violates the law and is a public servant should resign because for one, we should always uphold, we should always be above reproach."
Akbayan Representatives Walden Bello and Arlene Bag-ao made similar calls to spare the House from the divisive process of an ethics investigation.
Bello said, "I have said several times, Congressman Singson, if found guilty, should really consider resigning because it will not be good for the House to go through long process where he will be judged by his colleagues."
Bag-ao said, "We've already said our position before: we think it's in his best interest ay pag-isipan ang pagreresign."
Last week, Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao already said, "Kung halimbawa, may confession of guilt, kung totoo may plea bargain agreement, alam naman na pag may plea bargain agreement, may confession of guilt in exchange for being prosecuted for a more grievous offense. Dapat may parusa yan, whether suspension censure or expulsion, ako naniniwala dapat may parusa yan. Hintayin na lang natin mangyayari sa Hong Kong at kung totoo may confession of guilt."
House leadership cautious
The House leadership as well as other senior lawmakers as of this writing remains cautious about the matter, with Speaker Sonny Belmonte still not yet issuing a statement.
Minority leader Edcel Lagman and Senior Deputy Minority leader Danilo Suarez both likewise declined to comment saying the minority has no position on it yet.
Suarez said, "there's a hearing going on, we don't know yet what happened. The minority is reserving our position because while Congressmen Singson is a member of Lakas, he is part of the majority, not minority. I have to wait for the final decision of the Hong Kong judiciary. Everyone will be given a day in court in the committee to explain his side, but it will be a numbers game."
House ethics should act
Deputy Speaker Raul Daza, however, went as far as saying, now the House ethics and privileges committee should take cognizance and initiate its own disciplinary proceedings.
"Sa ngayon, pagkaalam ko, wala pang case sa ethics committee kaya kailangan, ang ethics committee ang gumawa ng hakbangin to take jurisdiction at pag aralan. Maraming dapat malaman, unang-una, ano ba nakasulat sa indictment. Dapat malaman natin kung ito'y final and executory."
Daza, however, stopped short of asking for Singson to resign. "Alam mo, yung resignation, that's personal to the person. Mahirap yung sabihin natin dapat siya magresign. Nasa kaniya yun."
Singson is the son of influential politician, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis 'Chavit' Singson.
Ronald can run again, win in 2013
Magsaysay, however, conceded that resigning now may still pave the way for Singson returning to the House should he win again in the 2013 elections. Magsaysay noted that convictions overseas are not automatically enforceable in the Philippines.
"Definitely, when he resigns, he can still run because he did not violate any local laws, because if ever he gets convicted, he's convicted in a foreign country and I heard that if you're convicted in a foreign country it does not follow that you have a conviction here in our country, so as far as I'm concerned Congressman Ronald Singson can still run in the 2013 elections."
Daza said a possible candidacy in 2013 is also something for the House ethics committee to determine, "dapat pag aralan iyan kasi batas ng Hong Kong, di gaya ng batas natin, pag aralan dapat."
In the past, congressmen were just prevailed upon to leave Congress after a court conviction to spare the institution the divisive process of an ethics proceeding. A two-thirds vote of all members is required before anyone can be expelled from Congress.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said that with Singson's admission to drug possession, use and even addiction, his status as a congressman has become untenable.
"It is now incumbent on the House ethics committee to initiate proceedings for his suspension or expulsion from Congress. Either that or he resigns. That is the sad consequence of his wrongdoing," Casiño said
Speaker Belmonte baffled by Singson plea bargain in HK by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News Posted at 01/27/2011 1:32 PM | Updated as of 01/27/2011 5:13 PM
MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - House Speaker Sonny Belmonte sees some inconsistency in Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson's statements saying he used to be a drug user and the reported plea bargaining agreement, where he will say that drugs found in his possession in Hong Kong are for personal use only.
"He admitted na gumagamit siya ng drugs. At the same time, he will prove personal use. Yun medyo...inconsistent that you've been using before but personal use yon," he said.
Belmonte, for now, refused to say what they will do next at the House of Representatives, preferring to wait for the final results of the case.
"So far, the only person pleading guilty is the lawyer... It [Singson pleading guilty] hasn't happened. Despite everything that has been said, we haven't reached the actual arraignment," he said.
Sanctions vs Singson
Meanwhile, lawmakers on Thursday called for sanctions against Singson in case he pleads guilty under a plea bargain agreement in his drug trafficking case in Hong Kong.
Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao said, "Kung halimbawa may confession of guilt, kung totoo may plea bargain agreement, alam naman na pag may plea bargain agreement, may confession of guilt in exchange for being prosecuted for a more grievous offense. Dapat may parusa yan, whether suspension censure or expulsion. Ako naniniwala dapat may parusa yan. Hinatayin na lang natin mangyayari sa Hong Kong at kung totoong may confession of guilt."
Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay said, "Siyempre, we'll have to deal with it when the time comes. The House [of Representatives], as an institution, has to protect itself... Majority game yan. I'll have to wait for what Speaker [Feliciano Belmonte] will say. Singson is a member of the majority. I'd rather they be the ones to deal with it."
Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera echoed calls for the House to wait for the final outcome of the case before acting on Sinsgon's case.
"For example, we decide on this, this term, pero tatakbo siya ulit sa 2013. After that, he will be back in the House of Representatives. 'Yan ang umiikot sa aking isipan. Aalisin natin 'yan, tapos the people in his district will welcome him to represent them pa rin," Herrera said.
Herrera, however, stressed that drug users don't have a place in Congress.
The House leadership had been keeping mum on the Singson case, waiting for the final outcome of the cases.
Singson was supposed to enter his plea bargain agreement during Wednesday's arraignment. That arraignment has been rescheduled to January 31 after the judge withdrew from the case
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