Judge inhibits self from Singson's case

HONG KONG – The judge hearing the drug trafficking case of Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson has inhibited himself from the proceedings after receiving a letter from another Filipino hurling allegations against the defendant and his father.

Wan Chai District Court Judge Stanley Chan adjourned the case until Jan. 31.

“The Court is duty-bound to ensure that justice be done and seen to be done,” he said.

Chan said last Monday he received a letter from a “concerned Filipino migrant from Australia” containing certain allegations against the Singson father and son.

“This is a simple plea and sentence of the case,” he said.

“It is my ruling that I recuse myself. I will list the case to another judge.

“I order that the letter be sealed and not disclosed to the following judge.

“In the present case, the motive or rationale of the author of the letter is unanswered. It is not clear why the author did not refer the matter to the police. The timing was suspicious,” Chan said.

Singson appeared before the district court on Sept. 7, 2010, and the letter was sent several days before the plea and sentence.

John Reading, Singson’s lawyer, asked Chan to recuse himself from the case.

“It’s important to re-appreciate that the judge has an order in which he sealed the letter,” Reading said.

“That means there can be no reference to the contents of the letter at all. I cannot mention that. No one can mention that. If they do, they will be in contempt of court.”

Reading said yesterday’s development was not really good news.

“It delays things a little bit,” he said.

“It removes something that could have been a problem in the sense that at the end of the day, it’s perception.

“When he gives evidence, the judge has to assess his credibility. We don’t want matters interfering.”

Prosecutor Virginia Lau objected to the defense’s application for the judge’s inhibition.

The judge’s decision would be fair despite receiving the letter, she added.

Singson expressed hope that his case would end soon.

“I have been in Hong Kong for almost six months already,” he said.

“No matter how the case goes, I think I am ready since it has been too long. This case has to come to a close.”

The 42-year-old lawmaker admitted that he used to take illegal drugs.

“I used to (take drugs),” he said. “If not I wouldn’t be in this position.”

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson was relieved that the judge did not pay attention to the letter. – With Paolo Romero