Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson on Friday claimed his arrest over a purportedly “private cyber libel complaint” was merely an attempt to silence him amid his efforts to shed light on the sweeping corruption involved in the flood control scandal, and that he will be bearing the arrest as a “badge of honor.”
In a statement posted on social media, Singson claimed that the Quezon City Court declined his bail, insisting that he first undergo police processing. He also refuted reports that he was arrested at his residence, and was instead publicly humiliated.
“I respected the legal process and voluntarily sought to immediately post bail through the courts. However, the Quezon City judge refused to accept my bail and insisted I first undergo police processing. It is not true that I was arrested at my residence. What should have been a routine legal proceeding was an attempt to publicly humiliate me,” he said, adding that his booking photo had been published online and immediately made the rounds.
The former governor claimed that the circumstances surrounding his arrest were “highly unusual,” considering the speed at which the proceedings moved forward.
“As I intensified my calls for a full investigation into the flood control controversy and sought answers regarding the use of flood control funds intended to protect Filipino communities from flooding, efforts to discredit and intimidate me soon followed. Hindi ba kapansin-pansin na habang lumalabas ang mga detalye ng korapsyon, ang mga nagsasalita tungkol dito ang siyang pinatatahimik at sinasampahan ng kaso?” he pointed out.
Singson noted that, rather than explain where the billions in taxpayer money, the government has been actively hunting down the administration’s critics in order to divert public attention.
Addressing the Filipino people, he appealed for discernment.
“Sa mga Pilipino, huwag tayong magpasindak. Ang tunay na isyu rito ay hindi cyber libel. Ang tunay na isyu ay kung saan napunta ang pera ng bayan, sino ang nakinabang, at sino ang dapat managot,” he said, vowing that he will persist in his pursuit of the truth behind the project anomalies.
“No arrest, no case, and no amount of political pressure will stop me from pursuing the truth and uncovering who the real mastermind is behind this scandal. The more they try to silence me, the more determined I become,” he concluded.
On Thursday, Singson was arrested over a cyberlibel case. Shortly after, he posted a ₱60,000 bail, allowing for his temporary release.
