Singson downplays hold departure order

VIGAN CITY, Philippines – Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Chavit Singson yesterday shrugged off the hold departure order issued against him by the Sandiganbayan.

Singson said his political enemies have been acting early against him, noting they thought he would run in the senatorial race in the next elections.

He said he is innocent of the charges filed against him before the Ombudsman.

The graft case against Singson stemmed from a complaint filed in 2010 by the Save Ilocos Sur Alliance headed by Estelita Cordero for the alleged illegal  release of P26 million to the Multiline Food Processing Plant.

Singson’s camp expressed surprise over the resurgence of the case and on how would it prosper after Cordero and the other complainants, including former Vigan vice mayor Libong Arca and lawyer Nestor Segismundo, withdrew from the case.