Rep. Singson to colleagues: Don't judge me yet

Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson has again asked his colleagues at the House of Representatives to defer their judgment against him until the courts issue a decision over the drug case he is facing in Hong Kong. “I hope hintayin na muna ang resulta ng trial dito bago gumawa ng assumptions ang mga kasama ko sa Congress (I hope my colleagues will wait first for the court’s decision over the trial before making assumptions)," Singson said in a text message to GMA News. “Allow me first to face my legal battles here in Hong Kong and after this is concluded, I will face whatever awaits me back home," he added. Some House members have called for either the resignation or expulsion of Singson from their roster, amid his alleged plan to plead guilty to a drug offense in Hong Kong. [See: Belmonte urged to start moves to expel Singson]

Singson, son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, was arrested upon his arrival at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport on July 11, and allegedly found to possess 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of diazepam, commonly known as Valium. Singson was charged with trafficking of dangerous drugs at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts, pursuant to the Hong Kong Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Minus the bottle, Hong Kong authorities said the actual weight of cocaine that Singson was allegedly carrying at the airport was 6.7 grams. 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 (P5,620,663) 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 (P28,102,941) The case has prodded Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo to call on the House leadership to ask all members of the House to submit themselves to a voluntary drug test. “People expect their lawmakers to be sober. After all, we have the distinct and sole privilege of making laws that affect the lives of every Filipino. We cannot be carrying out that sacred duty unless we are mentally sober," he said in a text message to GMANews.TV. — Amita O. Legaspi/DM/KBK, GMANews.TV