Convicted Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson resigned as a member of the 15th Congress a few days after a Hong Kong court sentenced him to imprisonment for 18 months for drug trafficking.
In a letter to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Singson said he tendered his resignation as a fulfillment of his promise to his father, Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson whose name and honor was dragged into his case. He added that he was also resigning for the sake of his constituents.
Singson also thanked his colleagues and also expressed his gratitude to other people who gave him moral support.
Belmonte said Singson’s resignation would avoid the need for the House ethics committee to conduct hearings on his case. Instead the House will be informed that he has received the letter of resignation. The secretary-general will then remove his name from the list of members upon Belmonte’s order.
The payment of Singson’s salary and other emoluments has been suspended effective immediately.
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said with Singson’s resignation, the House would shortly declare his seat vacant and call for a special election in Ilocos Sur’s first district.
