Lacson lawyer to Chavit: Don't compare Ping to son Ronald

The lawyer of Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday criticized Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson for saying that the fugitive senator should first be expelled from the Senate before Congress expels his son, Ilocos Rep. Ronald Singson. In a text message to GMANews.TV, lawyer Alex Poblador said there was no basis to compare Ronald with Lacson because the senator is still presumed innocent until proven guilty. On the other hand, Ronald is reportedly set to plead guilty to drug-related charges in Hong Kong. Ronald thus risks expulsion from the House if an ethics complaint is filed against him. On the other hand, Lacson is facing double murder charges at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 for his alleged involvement in the killing of veteran publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito a decade ago. An arrest warrant has been issued against him but Lacson, who has been in hiding for almost a year now, has repeatedly maintained his innocence. "There is really no basis to compare Senator Lacson with Congressman Singson. Despite the issuance of [an arrest warrant] against him, Senator Lacson enjoys the presumption of innocence. And he will continue to do so becasue being innocent , he does not intend to plead guilty to the charges against him," said Poblador. Poblador added that once Ronald admits his guilt, he loses the presumption of innocence. "His (Ronald's) conviction will come as a matter of course. Unlike Lacson, therefore, he (Ronald) is vulnerable to calls for his ouster from the House," added Poblador. Over the weekend, Deputy House Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III was quoted to have said that the House ethics committee could start expulsion proceedings by a vote of a majority against Ronald if the Ilocos Sur representative pleads guilty to the drug-related charges. However, Ronald's father, Chavit, said Lacson must be expelled first. This, even as the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 is yet to prosecute Lacson for the Dacer-Corbito double murder case and rule on whether he is guilty or innocent. Guilty plea In July last year, Ronald was arrested upon arrival at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport. He allegedly carried 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of diazepam, commonly known as Valium. He was subsequently charged with trafficking of dangerous drugs at the Tsuen Wan Magistracy's Courts, pursuant to the Hong Kong Dangerous Drug Ordinance. It was earlier reported that the younger Singson is expected to plead guilty to a drug offense. During a hearing last Friday morning, Ronald's counsel, John Reading, told the court that his client hinted he would plead guilty to drug trafficking. (See: Rep. Singson set to plead guilty to drug offense in HK next year ) Under Hong Kong laws, possession of dangerous drugs is punishable with a maximum imprisonment of seven years and a maximum fine of HK$1,000,000. On the other hand, the more serious offense of drug trafficking carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a maximum fine of HK$5,000,000. – VVP, GMANews.TV