Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson has claimed that his recent arrest on cyber libel charges is a politically motivated move to intimidate him following his public allegations of corruption in government flood control projects.
Singson connected the legal action directly to his recent anti-corruption advocacy, suggesting the charges were a retaliatory measure.
“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,” Singson stated.
While law enforcement reports stated that police officers served an arrest warrant at his Quezon City residence on Thursday, Singson challenged this narrative.
The former governor clarified that he voluntarily went to the police station to post his ₱60,000 bail. Furthermore, he criticized the public release of his mugshot, calling it a deliberate attempt to humiliate him.
Singson also raised concerns over the transparency of the judicial process, labeling the rapid pacing of the case as “highly unusual” and noting that the issuing judge is located outside his home province.
Despite these legal hurdles, he maintained that he will still testify regarding the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
“If asking where the people’s money went and who benefited from it is enough to earn a cyber libel case, then it only proves that these questions are hitting where they hurt most,” he remarked.
Highlighting what he views as a systemic pattern of suppressing whistleblowers, Singson questioned why critics are targeted whenever state anomalies are brought to light.
“Hindi ba kapansin-pansin na habang lumalabas ang mga detalye ng korapsyon, ang mga nagsasalita tungkol dito ang siyang pinatatahimik at sinasampahan ng kaso?”
Vowing to push forward with his advocacy, the former local chief executive emphasized that the legal pressure would not deter him from seeking accountability.
“I will not be silenced. 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.”
Details surrounding the cyber libel complaint remain limited, and authorities have not yet released the identity of the complainant.