HRET junks poll protest vs Singson

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) has dismissed the election protest filed against Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, who a Hong Kong court convicted of drug trafficking in 2011.

The tribunal threw out the protest lodged by lawyer Bertrand Baterina on a technicality. It ruled that the case was filed “out of time,” meaning beyond the 15-day deadline counted from the time Singson was proclaimed winner in the congressional race in Ilocos Sur’s first district.

Baterina, who Singson defeated, originally filed the case with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before his opponent was proclaimed.

In the complaint, Baterina claimed that Singson is not qualified to sit as a member of Congress since a Hong Kong court had convicted him of drug trafficking and he served time in jail in the former British colony.

“Clearly, Singson was sentenced by final judgment for an act contrary to justice, modesty, or good morals, with much weight considering that at the time of his arrest and subsequent conviction, he was incumbent representative of the first district of Ilocos Sur,” he said.

He cited the case of Eduardo Rodriguez, who was a candidate for Quezon governor and who the Comelec disqualified for having been convicted in the United States of insurance fraud.

Singson was arrested at Chek Lap Kok International Airport in July 2010 after airport authorities found he was carrying 6.67 grams of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, and in February 2011, a Hong Kong court gave him a reduced sentence of 18 months in jail, which was further reduced by prison officials due to good behavior.

He returned to the country in January 2012 on a private executive jet that landed at the Laoag City airport in Ilocos Norte, before proceeding to the Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

His brother Ryan won in the special election conducted by the Comelec in May 2011 for the post he vacated. He reclaimed his congressional seat from Ryan last May. His brother succeeded their father, Luis or Chavit, as long-time governor of their province.

It is not clear if Baterina would appeal the dismissal of his election protest against Singson with the HRET or elevate it to the Supreme Court.

Aside from Rodriguez, there are a number of politician-convicts who have been barred from seeking public office again. It is either the election law bars them or perpetual disqualification from public office is part of their penalty.

The dismissal of the case against Singson has brought to 32 the number of election protests pending with the HRET.

Among those facing protests are Gwen Garcia of Cebu, Diosdado Arroyo of Camarines Sur, Lani Mercado-Revilla of Cavite, Edgar Erice of Caloocan, Abdullah Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur, Mark Enverga of Quezon, Harlin Abayon of Northern Samar, Evelyn Plaza-Mellana of Agusan del Sur, and Vicente Alcala, also of Quezon.

Enverga is one of six House members sitting in the HRET. The three other tribunal members are justices of the Supreme Court.