Palace assures justice in ally's ‘wife-beating’ case

A Malacañang official on Monday assured that “justice would be served" in the alleged wife-beating incident involving deputy national security adviser Luis “Chavit" Singson, a close ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “This kind of violence should not be tolerated. Women should be loved, respected and cared for," said deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo. Fajardo said an “alarmed and seriously concerned" President Arroyo has ordered Singson’s immediate supervisor, national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, to look into the case of his deputy. “The President, as a woman and head of our government, is alarmed and seriously concerned by such charges against a person who is regarded as part of her upper circle," she said.

She said the investigation should include Singson's admission that he used facilities of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to get hold of text messages between his common-law wife, Rachel Tiongson, and her alleged lover. Singson, a former governor of Ilocos Sur, has been named respondent in a domestic violence and physical abuse complaint filed by Tiongson, whom he beat up in a fit of rage after seeing her alleged paramour in their Quezon City residence. Malacañang had earlier said that it is not keen on issuing a preventive suspension order on Singson despite the complaint filed against him. But on Monday, Fajardo said Singson should voluntarily go on leave while the complaint is being heard by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. “Out of delicadeza, Governor Singson doesn't need the President to tell him to file a leave of absence. Maybe he can do that himself," she said. Fajardo said she is “mad" about Singson's actions but quickly added that emotions would not play a role in dealing with the case. “As a woman, I feel very strongly about this. I am mad, I am angry but… we are all professionals." “As well, this is a personal matter between the governor and his family, so any crime or violence should not be tolerated at all but it has to be subjected to the rule of all," she added. Singson, for his part, said he has no plans of taking a leave of absence, stressing that he was the victim in the case. "Hindi ako magli lea-leave. Wala akong kasalan diyan. Ako ang biktima (I will not take a leave of absence. I am the victim here)," he said. Singson played a key role in the downfall of the Estrada regime when he testified on the supposed illegal gambling activities of former President Joseph Estrada, President Arroyo’s predecessor. Estrada was eventually convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan but was given full pardon later on. Militant women’s groups had earlier accused Malacañang of handling Singson’s case with kid gloves, noting Singson’s role in catapulting President Arroyo to office in 2001. - with Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV