Oct. 19, 2000, The Philippine Star, Ex-Ilocos Sur Gov Files Plunder Charges vs. Chavit, by Delon Porcalla

Oct. 19, 2000, The Philippine Star, Ex-Ilocos Sur Gov Files Plunder Charges vs. Chavit, by Delon Porcalla & Perseus Echeminada,

Manila,  (STAR)- It seems that Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson’s opponents really want him silenced by hook or by crook.

Singson's predecessor, Antonio Villanueva, filed a criminal complaint against him before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

He accused Singson of "plundering the national treasury," which is punishable by death.

Villanueva’s complaint stemmed from Singson’s own admission before a Senate committee inquiring into the jueteng allegations against Mr. Estrada.

Singson accused Mr. Estrada of receiving a P130 million cut from tobacco taxes intended for his province as well as over P400 million in payoffs from jueteng operators – which Mr. Estrada denied.

Singson said he decided to spill everything about the President after what he claimed was an assassination attempt on his life last Oct. 4 by some people close to Mr. Estrada who wanted to silence him.

Singson admitted before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that he diverted the tobacco money to close presidential friend Charlie "Atong" Ang, an alleged jueteng lord, for delivery to Mr. Estrada.

Villanueva said Singson, who replaced him in 1972, violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and committed a "crime that affects the survival of the national economy."

Villanueva, who lists his address as Legazpi City in Albay, said that as an Ilocos Sur resident — having been born there — he was "deprived of the benefits" of the province’s share in excise taxes on tobacco.

Under the law, plunder is an offense applicable to government officials who amass at least P50 million in government money.

Meanwhile, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago urged Ombudsman Aniano Desierto to investigate Singson for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations, for allegedly diverting the tobacco taxes, and his unexplained wealth.

"The Ombudsman should step in now because there is no law preventing the anti-graft body from conducting its own investigation of any government official involved in the commission of an offense," Santiago said.
"He has made what is called in law an admission against interest. He admitted that he committed crimes. So his testimony can be used as a basis for conviction in certain crimes," Santiago said.

Singson has accused Santiago and other pro-administration senators of lawyering for Mr. Estrada because of their apparently hostile questions to Singson.

Frustrated by the badgering, Singson threatened to snub future Senate hearings, pessimistic that they would lead nowhere.

He doubts any attempt to impeach the President will succeed because of the LAMP ruling coalition’s majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Because of that, Singson is convinced that only strong public protests will force Mr. Estrada to resign.