Luis 'Chavit' Singson

Luis "Chavit" Crisologo Singson, 67, a losing administration senatorial candidate in the 2007 elections, was appointed deputy national security adviser on September 6. PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Full name: Luis Crisologo Singson
• Nickname: Chavit
• Birthdate: 21 June 1941
• Birthplace: Vigan, Ilocos Sur
• Civil status: Married
• Spouse: Evelyn T. Verzosa
• Children: Richard, Romel, Randolf, Raquel, Regina, Ryan, Ronald
• Political clan: the Singson clan of Ilocos Sur

EDUCATION

• Architecture, University of Sto. Tomas (1961-1963)
• Commerce, Letran College (1959-1961)
• High School, San Sebastian College (1959)
• Elementary, Rosary College (now St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur)

CAREER

• Governor, Ilocos Sur, 1972-1986; 1992-2001; 2004-2007
• Presidential adviser for the North Luzon Growth Management Area, Office of the President, 2003-2004
• Representative, Ilocos Sur, 1987-1992
• Municipal councilor, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, 1967-1968
• Chairman/President, Vigan Electric Co., 1966
• Businessman/trader, Virginia Tobacco, 1966-1967
• Chief of police, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, 1964-1965)

LAW AUTHORED

• RA 7171 - An Act to Promote the Development of the Farmers in the Virginia Tobacco-Producing Provinces

ISSUES

• Juetenggate In an October 2000 hearing at the House of Representatives, Singson exposed Estrada's involvement in jueteng and called the president "the lord of all jueteng lords." Singson also accused Estrada of receiving bribe from the tobacco excise tax. He stood as witness in the aborted Estrada impeachment trial.
• Erap disputes Chavit's allegations in plunder trial During the plunder trial, Estrada disputed Singson's claim that Singson delivered, through Atong Ang, P130M worth of cash placed in four boxes from the tobacco excise tax to Estrada's house in August 1998. Estrada's camp said P130 million cannot fit in four boxes and was too heavy to be carried by one person. On the other hand, Singson claimed he never said the entire P130M was delivered.
• Senate candidacy in 2007 Chavit Singson, filed his candidacy as a Lakas-CMD nominee on February 12, 2007. He ranked 31st with more than four million votes.
• Ambush allegations Ousted President Joseph Estrada accused Singson of killing Ilocos Sur Provincial auditor Agustin Chan for investigating Singson's multi-million cash advances. Chan was killed in October 2001. Singson said he has no motive to kill Chan. Efren "Rambo" Rafanan, a radio broadcaster and former ally of Singson, also accused the governor of staging an ambush against him in 2004. Rafanan's wife, one of his sons, his brother and his bodyguard were killed in the ambush. Singson also denied the accusation.
• The "Ilocos Republic" and the Singson political clan The Singsons have dominated the Ilocos Sur politics, and to a certain extent, its economic life, for more than three decades. Chavit himself has ruled as governor for 26 years (non-consecutive terms.)
• Metrowalk Trouble Singson admitted he was one of the owners of the Metrowalk Commercial Complex in Pasig City after one of his former business partners, Leonardo Umale, was killed in March 2006. Umale and Singson had earlier had a falling out over financial matters involving one of the companies running Metrowalk. Umale's widow, Vicky, said her husband wanted to recover the money he invested in the venture, so he filed cases in court. When Umale won some of the cases, he allegedly received death threats from Singson. The governor denied his involvement in the subsequent killing of Umale.
• Charter change During its its 4th national executive board meeting in Vigan City on October 2005, the Singson-led League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) agreed to push for a federal-presidential form of government.
• Hello Garci / Arroyo impeachment In a press conference on July 14, 2005, Singson played an audio CD about an alleged assassination plot against President Arroyo, purportedly hatched by former President Joseph Estrada. He earlier said he will declare an Ilocos Republic if the President is forced out of office.
• EO 464 Singson, as national chair of the LPP, supported Executive Order 464. He said it is one way of protecting the cabinet secretaries, department heads and military generals from being compelled to attend Congressional investigations

Sources: Comele, Certificate of Candidacy, Official Biodata, GMA News, GMANews.tv, i-site.ph, Newsbreak, PCIJ's The Rulemakers, Manila Times, PIA, Reporters sans frontieres