Senate winds up Singson testimony

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson can finally take a breather from the constant grilling of senators who are trying to get to the bottom of the jueteng allegations.

The Senate Blue Ribbon and justice committees said over the weekend that they have used up their respective time allocations for Singson, a former presidential ally who is now leading a crusade to implicate the Chief Executive in illegal gambling payoffs.

Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Aquilino Pimentel told The STAR that the governor is now excused from attending the marathon hearings as the panels start to focus on other personalities allegedly involved in the jueteng scandal.

"Unless necessary, Governor Singson will no longer be called in to testify," Pimentel said.

Among the highlights of the governor’s testimony were allegations that President Estrada received payoffs from illegal gambling operations as well as the delivery of millions in provincial excise tax collections to the President’s residence in San Juan.

A ledger allegedly listing the code names of beneficiaries of jueteng proceeds was also presented as evidence.

The Ilocos governor also turned down an offer for witness protection, saying he was willing to take the risk and even go to jail as a result of the exposé.

To prove his allegations, Singson presented former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Roberto Lastimoso, who claimed the President had ordered him to coordinate jueteng operations in the country.

Singson also disclosed that checks from gambling proceeds were issued to Senators John Osmeña and Teresa Aquino-Oreta.

When asked about what he thought of the Singson testimonies, Pimentel said it was still too early to make a conclusion since other witnesses, particularly those named in the ledger, have yet to take the witness stand.

He assured the public that the hearings will continue despite a petition asking the Supreme Court to issue a restraining order against the Senate probe.

Pimentel said he expects the High Tribunal to uphold the principle of separation of powers and adopt a hands-off policy on the ongoing proceedings.

"We are determined to pursue this probe to its logical conclusion," he said.

Meanwhile, Singson is poised to seek more public support in his campaign against the President as he embarks on several provincial trips starting today.

His first stop is a multi-sectoral assembly at the Ateneo de Davao University covered courts in Davao City. Singson is expected to discuss his disclosures on bribery and corruption in the assembly-forum organized by the local Konsensiya sa Katawhan movement. – With Edith Regalado, Cecille Suerte Felipe