HOUSE Speaker Feliciano Belmonte is considering sending a representative to attend the drug case hearing of Congressman Ronald Singson (first district, Ilocos Sur) in Hong Kong.
Singson, son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson, was arrested at the Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport on July 11 for possession of 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of valium.
“I'm thinking of sending a representative to go to his hearing in his case in Hong Kong as an observer for the House because that of course is a very serious thing," Belmonte told reporters.
The initial hearing of Representative Singson's case is set on August 19.
The Speaker added that he has spoken with the elder Singson but the latter did not give any information on the case of his son.
Earlier, Belmonte said his colleague in the Congress should be presumed innocent until proven guilty as the law states.
“We have to give him the benefit of the doubt as we have to give the benefit of the doubt to every who is, may presumption of innocence dito sa atin diba," he added.
Meanwhile, work for Representative Singson's staff continues in Congress while their boss faces his drug case abroad.
To recall, the younger Singson was actually the first lawmaker to file a measure at the House of Representatives when the Bills and Index Division started accepting bills from congressmen last July 1.
His bills include the granting of tax incentives to car manufacturers and importers of hybrid vehicles and the tuition fee discounts and scholarship grants to qualified household helpers. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)