Ronald Singson’s brother sworn in as new Ilocos Sur rep

(Updated 5:34 p.m.) Former Vigan City Vice Mayor Ryan Luis Singson was officially sworn in as the new representative of the Ilocos Sur’s first district, replacing his brother, convicted former lawmaker Ronald Singson. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. administered the oath of office to the newest House member, who won by landslide against his opponent, lawyer Bertrand Baterina, during the special polls in the district held on Sunday. "Tuwang tuwa po ako ngayon kasi officially po congressman na po tayo ng Ilocos Sur. Kakasimula lang kaya kailangan maging familiar pa tayo sa Congress," the new congressman told reporters after his oath-taking. Rep. Singson was accompanied by his wife and his father, incumbent Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, who played a major role in the downfall of the Estrada government in January 2001, during the oath-taking. World boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, a known family friend of the Singsons, also joined the neophyte congressman while taking his oath of office. Drug tests The congressional seat for Ilocos Sur’s first district was vacated after Ronald, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in Hong Kong for illegal drug possession, resigned from the post last March. Ronald was convicted by the Hong Kong Wan Chai District Court for trafficking cocaine and Valium in the Chinese territory. He was arrested in July last year at the Chek Lap Kok Airport after authorities seized 6.67 grams of cocaine from him. Ryan Luis, for his part, said he is willing to undergo tests to prove that he does not use illegal drugs. "Kung pwede po ngayon, magpapa-drug test ako. Maganda rin po ‘yung mga batas na tungkol sa drugs," he said. He added that he will adopt some of his brother’s pending legislations, especially the bill creating the Metro Vigan Development Authority. Ryan Luis’ inclusion in the House rolls raises the number of congressmen to 285 — the biggest in the lower chamber’s history. — RSJ, GMA News