Chavit: Senate bid is ‘fight’ vs Estradas

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit" Singson announced on Wednesday his intention to seek a Senate seat in the May 14 mid-term polls, a move he described as "fight" against the family of his erstwhile friend, deposed President Joseph Estrada. Interviewed after making a courtesy call to Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr, Singson said recent pronouncements made by Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada that some governors are thieves and are facing criminal cases prompted him to aspire for a seat in the Upper Chamber. "I came here just to make a courtesy call to the senators and hoping I'd find Jinggoy because what he said about me the other day is not good. He said some of the governors have criminal cases that remained unacted upon…that I had stolen a lot of money and that my cases were not moving too," Singson told Senate reporters. In going to the Senate, Singson brought with him copies of a certification from the Commission on Audit, dated February 3, 2006 and signed by State Auditor Virginia Mendoza, saying that until that day, COA has not filed any case against the Ilocos Sur governor. "Maybe he does not know the law…that is why if the people would want it, I would run for the Senate so we could confront each other face to face and to prevent him from using the Senate (against their political enemies)," he added. In late 2000, Singson blew the whistle on Estrada’s supposed involvement in jueteng, an illegal numbers game. Estrada was then impeached and subsequently ousted by a popular uprising in January 2001. Singson stood as the government’s star witness in the plunder charges against Estrada. He said he would file his certificate of candidacy end of this month. Singson would most likely be included in the administration party’s still-to-be-finalized 12-man senatorial slate. Others reported to be included are Tarlac Rep. Gilbert Teodoro, Optical Media Board chair Edu Manzano, Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Surigao Rep. Prospero Pichay. In a text message to GMANews.TV Wednesday, Pichay merely said: "My options are open." Pichay is on his last term as congressman. But for House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles, completing the administration’s senatorial ticket was not necessary. "If you are to ask me, I would rather that we don’t have a slate. We want to be consistent with our position for Charter change, which is for a parliamentary government," Nograles said. Under a parliamentary government with a unicameral Congress, the Senate will be abolished. Nonetheless, Nograles expressed confidence the government will be able to finish its slate by the first week of February. “Give it another 10 days we will be able to draw the lines. This will all be finished by next week, sometime Feb. 2,3 or 4. I am certain that the administration will be able to put up a slate." - with a report from Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV