Chavit leaves fate to NSA Gonzales

Refusing to heed Malacañang's suggestion for him to voluntarily take a leave of absence, deputy national security adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson stressed Tuesday that he will leave his fate in the hands of his immediate superior, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales. In a radio interview, Singson said he had already talked with Gonzales, but did not say what Gonzales’ instructions to him were. "Nag-usap na kami, bahala na siya (I talked with him already. I will leave the matter up for him to decide)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. On the other hand, a report by dzBB radio’s Aileen Intia said Gonzales is not imposing any sanction on Singson, at least for now. The report quoted Gonzales as saying that he does not want to judge Singson’s actions, where he was accused of beating up his former live-in partner Rachel Tiongson and her lover. Singson had bragged about the incident last week, but backtracked Monday and claimed he even saved the lives of Tiongson and her lover. [See: Singson backtracks, now claims he saved partner’s life] On Tuesday, Singson renewed his claimed that the private detectives he hired to keep track of Tiongson were beating up her lover, and that Tiongson was hurt when she got too close. "So niligtas ko sila. Inawat ko, huwag nyo galawin kako (So I saved their lives. I told the detectives not to hurt them)," he said. Ready to explain side Meanwhile, Singson said he is ready to explain his side to women’s groups, including militant group Gabriela, saying they will "understand" him once he airs his side. "Gusto ko silang makausap, i-e-explain ko sa kanila, ipakikita ko ibang ebidensya para makita nila anong klase ang babaeng ito. Palagay ko maintindihan nila (I want to talk to them. I will explain my side and show them my evidence, and I am confident they will understand me)," he said. "Pag nakausap ko sila [o] bigyan ako ng pagkakataong kausapin sila [at hindi pa rin sila kumbinsido] , they are free to condemn me (If after I air my side and they are still not convinced, they are free to condemn me)," he added.

Singson said he will present the same "evidence" in court, if Gabriela and other women’s groups refuse to see his side. He reiterated that no government resources were used in spying on Tiongson and her lover. "Alam mo, ang paniniktik napakadali niyan. Kaya ang mga lalaking may problema tawagan ako [at] bibigyan ko sila ng advise...napakadaling hulihin. Ang mga security agency meron niyan (You know, it is easy to spy. So men who suspect their wives of cheating should call me and I will teach them. And the equipment used is accessible to security agencies)," he said. But when asked about his supposed interception of text messages, Singson said he will explain it before the court. "Napakadali lahat niyan (Those are easy to do)," he said. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it is still waiting for Tiongson to formally file her complaint against Singson before the agency. Eye-opener CHR chairperson Leila de Lima said the case would be an eye-opener to cases involving high-profile personalities. "It’s really time cases like this involving a personality would give much attention to the issue para naman magkaroon ng karampatang solution diyan sa usapin na iyan (It’s time cases like this involving a high-profile personality will be given attention and properly addressed)," de Lima said in an interview on dwIZ radio. She said national attention on the case will also drive home the point that men in government "should be aware they have the primary responsibility to respect protect and promote human rights," particularly those of women, "and lead by example." De Lima said that once the CHR receives the complaint, it will likely evaluate it and assign it to its Metro Manila office, or to the Women’s Human Rights Center for investigation. - GMANews.TV