June 7, 2001, The Philippine Star, Ombudsman Warns Chavit Against Failure to Testify, by Jose Rodel Clapano,

June 7, 2001, The Philippine Star, Ombudsman Warns Chavit Against Failure to Testify, by Jose Rodel Clapano,

Manila, June 7, 2001 - (STAR) Outgoing Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson will be charged in court as a co-accused in the plunder case versus former President Joseph Estrada if he does not testify against the ousted leader.

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto told The STAR in a telephone interview Singson’s failure to testify against Estrada is reason enough to impeach him as state witness.

Desierto said Singson was given immunity from prosecution as a state witness in accordance with Presidential Decree 849, which grants that power to the Ombudsman.

"But Singson will still be our witness," he said. "The defense will always question Singson’s testimony and they will oppose that. What is important is the posture of the prosecution."

However, Cleofe Verzola, one of Estrada's lawyers, said they will ask the Sandiganbayan to implead Singson as a principal co-accused in the plunder case against the ousted president.

"We are still conducting a series of meetings with regard to the plan to include Singson as one of the principal accused in the plunder case," he said.

But Desierto said the defense motion to have Singson removed as a state witness will "not in any way" affect the scheduled June 27 arraignment of Estrada and his son, outgoing San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, and lawyer Edward Serapio.

"It has nothing to do with Estrada," he said. "It is only affecting Singson. It has no relation to Estrada." – With reports from Christina Mendez, Cecille Suerte Felipe