Palace: No preventive suspension vs Chavit

There would be no preventive suspension from Malacañang against deputy national security adviser Luis “Chavit" Singson despite the complaint filed against him by his former live-in partner whom he allegedly beat in a fit of rage, a Palace official said on Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said the issue is a “domestic problem" and it is up for Singson, a former Ilocos Sur governor who is closely associated with the Arroyo administration, if he wants to take a leave of absence from his post. At present the Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the case. “The PNP is an independent and credible institution. So na kay former governor Chavit Singson iyan kung ano ang next na hahakbangin po niya (It is up to Singson whatever move he wants to make)," he said. Singson’s partner, Rachel Tiongson, has asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to issue a temporary protection order to prevent Singson from going near her within a distance of one kilometer. Singson said he beat up Tiongson after seeing her with her alleged paramour inside their Quezon City residence. Women lawmakers at the House of Representatives had urged Malacaňang to take action against Singson, noting that the incident was "a classic case of violence against women." Golez said it is up to national security adviser Norberto Gonzales whether Singson should be suspended or not while the case is pending. GMANews.TV tried contacting Gonzales but he was not answering his phone. Singson, reputed to be one of the country’s most powerful politicians, was instrumental in the downfall of the Estrada regime in 2001 when he testified on the supposed illegal gambling activities of then President Joseph Estrada, who was eventually convicted by the Sandiganbayan. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who succeeded Estrada, has dubbed Singson as the “hero of Edsa Dos," referring to the massive protests that led to Estrada’s downfall. Golez said the Palace's leniency in case has nothing to do with Singson's role in the case against Estrada. - GMANews.TV