E-jeep, VBank projects to continue despite Chavit’s withdrawal

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Manong Chavit” Singson, after formally filing the withdrawal of his candidacy for the upcoming midterm elections Thursday, vowed to continue his platform — helping jeepney drivers and operators adapt to the PUV Modernization Program with his e-jeepney project and producing more financially included Filipinos.

Singson, accompanied by his staff, arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila, around 10 a.m., where he was welcomed by Comelec Chairman George Garcia and officials from the Comelec Law Department.

During the ambush interview, Singson stressed his “may isang salita” campaign mantra.

“Itutuloy ko ang lahat ng naipangako ko. Yung pagtulong sa mga drivers, yung VBank. Yung e-jeepney project ko, tuloy-tuloy yun. Dumating na lahat ng equipment sa Lima, Batangas. Yung sa VBank, tuloy tuloy din. Hanggang February magpapa-premyo pa ako,” Singson told reporters.

“Itutuloy ko ang lahat ng naipangako ko. Yung pagtulong sa mga drivers, yung VBank. Yung e-jeepney project ko, tuloy-tuloy yun. Dumating na lahat ng equipment sa Lima, Batangas. Yung sa VBank, tuloy tuloy din. Hanggang February magpapa-premyo pa ako,” Singson told reporters.

(I will continue everything I promised. Helping drivers, the VBank. My e-jeepney project is ongoing. All the equipment has arrived in Lima, Batangas. The one in VBank, it's still the same. Until February, I will give prizes.)

Singson, also chair of LCS Group, earlier announced plans to manufacture up to 500 e-jeepneys per month, along with about 2,000 e-bikes and 1,000 e-tricycles, adding that production would ramp up in the coming months.

Divine interventions

Singson, who was diagnosed with pneumonia, said he sought divine intervention in making the difficult decision to withdraw his candidacy despite the growing number of supporters throughout the country.

“Naalala ko kasi yung Bible verse na ‘ask and you will receive.’ Hiniling ko buhayin lang ako hanggang Linggo, lalabas ako para lang makapagpasalamat. And right away nakatulog ako. Kaya ako nag-withdraw because ayaw ko nang tamaan ng pangatlo sa lungs. Ngayon pneumonia, mas grabe yun,” he said.

(Because I remembered the Bible verse that “ask and you will receive.” I asked to be kept alive until Sunday, so I could go out just to say thank you. And right away, I fell asleep. That’s why I withdrew—I didn’t want to be hit by the third issue with my lungs. Now pneumonia, that’s worse.)

“Mas magagawa ko lahat ng pagtulong sa tao kung buhay ako,” he added, stating that the intense campaign period could have taken his life had he decided to continue with his Senate bid.

(I can do everything to help people better if I’m alive.)

Although Comelec Chairman Garcia had previously stated that Singson could send a representative to file his withdrawal, Singson chose to personally submit the desistance of his candidacy because “he didn’t want people to think that he was just fooling the Filipino people.”

Asked about his current condition, Singson replied: “I feel better now. Pwede nang lumaban ulit.” (I feel better now. I can fight again.)