Gonzales wants more time before deciding on Singson’s fate

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales on Tuesday said he wanted more time to decide what action to take against his deputy, Luis "Chavit" Singson, for allegedly beating his former live-in partner. In a press briefing in Malacañang, Gonzales acknowledged that the easiest way to respond to the problem was to heed calls to sanction his deputy. But it would be “unfair" to make rash judgments only because of a clamor, he said. Gonzales also stressed that the “tragedy" that struck Singson’s family should be handled cautiously to avoid the children from getting caught in the crossfire. “You should also consider the situation obtaining in this. To me it’s a tragedy. I am looking at what will happen to the kids. I don’t know where I am in this issue. We have to balance. Told him talk to each other ‘wag saktan ang mga bata," Gonzales said. He said that a psychologist or a priest should be the one handling the problem. Calls for Malacañang to sanction Singson gained grounds after he admitted mauling Rachel “Che" Tiongson, his common-law wife of 17 years, over infidelity issues. Singson has five children with her. Other Malacaňang officials have also been ambivalent even though Singson had repeatedly talked about how he beat Tiongson and her boyfriend after catching them making love in their Quezon City apartment on August 22. [See: Chavit Singson faces raps for beating 'unfaithful' ex-partner] President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was reported to have instructed Gonzales instead to look into the issue and make the appropriate recommendations. [See: Singson backtracks, now claims he saved partner’s life] Gonzales said he talked with Singson last night to “hear his side," but did not give him advice as emotions were still high. Singson earlier said he was leaving his fate to Gonzales. [See: Chavit leaves fate to NSA Gonzales] “His mood is that of ... if you are in his shoes it’s a mix of anger, sadness and frustration, a lot of things. That’s understandable. That’s why we should have more compassion than be so legalistic about this matter," Gonzales said, adding that Singson even conceded that beating Tiongson was wrong. Not indispensable Malacaňang’s indecisiveness on Singson’s case has led to speculations that the President could not take action against Singson because of his role in toppling former President Joseph Estrada. Singson’s testimony that Estrada misused millions of pesos in tobacco tax funds and used money from illegal gambling operations led to impeachment charges against the former president, which eventually led to his downfall amid a people power uprising in 2001. Estrada’s forced resignation made way for then Vice President Arroyo to assume the presidency. Gonzales, however, denied that the Palace was giving Singson a kid-glove’s treatment. He said Singson is not indispensable and the public can expect a fair shake when he makes his decision. According to Gonzales, they are currently looking at propriety issues. He also said that as far as he’s concerned Singson’s domestic problems does not affect his job. Gonzales also denied allegations that Singson used his position in the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to spy on Tiongson and her alleged lover. Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV