Two Laguna congressman tell Singson to do a De Guzman resignation

By Jason de Asis

 

BALER, Aurora, February 20, 2011-Two Laguna congressmen yesterday called on Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson to do a De Guzman by resigning following in the footsteps of the disgraced former Nueva Ecija congressman Nicanor De Guzman Jr. who quit following the discovery of 314 smuggled firearms at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 1991.

 

Laguna 1st district representative Dan Fernandez and 2nd district congressman Timmy Chipeco said that with Singson set to be sentenced next week, the only viable option left for him at this point is to tender his resignation at the House of Representatives. The two (2) lawmakers were here as guests during the commemoration of the 32nd foundation anniversary of the province, coinciding with the 123rd birth anniversary of the late former First Lady Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon after whom it was named. 

 

“I would say do a De Guzman and quit,” Fernandez said, referring to the former Nueva Ecija solon who quit at the height of the scandal that rocked the House in 1991 during the administration of  the late former President Corazon Aquino, mother of President Aquino.

 

“It’s better for him not to face the agony of being expelled. At this point in time, getting votes in the plenary will only cause ruffled feelings. Magkakahiyaan. Para huwag ng magkasamaan ng loob (It will cause shame. So there will be no hurt feelings,” he said of Singson.

 

Fernandez said he and Singson are good friends, saying he is torn between friendship and the need to be morally upright. He said it would be best if resignation will come from Singson himself.

 

Earlier, Singson said he would resign once sentenced by the Hong Kong court. Singson is facing two to three years in jail for trafficking in 6.67 grams of illegal drugs following his arrest last July 11.

 

For his part, Chipeco who represents the second district of Laguna, said the hardest thing to do in the House of Representatives is to cast a vote to expel a colleague, particularly one who is a close friend. “We are close friends and that’s what makes it hard for us. But he has pleaded guilty to a drug offense,” he said, however, he clarified that he is not pre-judging his beleaguered colleague. (Jason de Asis)




(Disclamer)
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