Daily Tribune
Photos by Toto Lozano for DAILY TRIBUNE
Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson on Friday dismissed claims dragging his name into an alleged destabilization plot against the Marcos administration, calling the accusations “fabricated” and intended to frighten the public.
In a live interview on DZRH, Singson criticized those circulating the rumors, describing them as “paid operators.”
“They made all of this up. It’s meant to scare the public,” he said. “This is not just an attack dog — the person who released this was paid. When Mon Tulfo first brought it up, I wondered why they entertained it. And then they released it again with more comments. There are missing pieces… everything about this so-called destabilization is incomplete.”
Singson added that if destabilization is the issue, responsibility ultimately lies with the administration itself.
“President Marcos is also one of those destabilizing things because he is the President,” he said. “It is his command responsibility.”
Singson also took aim at President Marcos’ recent remarks promising swift arrests over the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
“I heard his press conference. ‘It’s over. No one can steal anymore. We will imprison them. Their happy days are over. No more Christmas.’ That’s what he said,” Singson noted. “But what about those who stole before this? Will it all just end there?”
He also criticized what he described as inconsistent statements and selective enforcement.
“When someone asked about Speaker Martin Romualdez, he suddenly panicked,” he said. “The President says he won’t spare even his cousin — but has he? It’s all talk. I don’t believe the sincerity. Where are the people involved? They’re already hiding. They don’t know what to do. Some are being made state witnesses. Put them on a lie detector test and they won’t know what to say.”
Singson denied involvement in organizing the Iglesia ni Cristo’s planned mass action, but said the mounting public anger is genuine.
“That’s where you’ll see that the public has had enough. People can no longer be fooled. The situation in the country can no longer be covered up,” he said. “This is the biggest anomaly. This is just one case — almost every department has graft and corruption. Who is responsible for that? The President. He is the Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief. That is command responsibility.”
He said he met some organizers only once and does not personally know most of the individuals listed as supposed destabilizers.
“They made this up. It’s not true. I don’t even know the people on that list,” he said, pointing to a document linking him to the plot. “The only one I know there is Mike Defensor.”
Singson said he rarely sees other politicians mentioned in the rumors, adding that he has no communication with Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, or Davao City acting Mayor Baste Duterte.
Singson also accused the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) of avoiding flood control projects in Ilocos Norte.
“In the Senate inquiry, they skipped Ilocos Norte. It was intentional,” he said. “They went only yesterday, visited four sites. There are around 150 to 200 flood control projects there. They visited four. Then they immediately reported there were no ghost projects.”
“That’s selective,” he added. “The President himself created the ICI, and they follow him. When the Senate asked why Ilocos Norte was skipped, they dodged it.”
Singson said the administration’s recent statements about imminent arrests create an atmosphere of intimidation.
“It’s as if they are warning people that if they join rallies, they will be jailed. Their happy days are over,” he said. “It’s like only a few have the right to be happy at Christmas.”
Asked if he would speak at the INC rally, he replied: “If I am allowed, I will speak.”
Why might he not be allowed? “Because I am being threatened.”
Singson also warned that widespread frustration could escalate.
“People are furious. I just hope they won’t be threatened or insulted,” he said. “If they imprison me or kill me, they will answer to three groups: the people who will fight back, the Ilocanos, and finally, they cannot escape God.”
When asked if a mass movement similar to EDSA is possible, Singson said: “It’s possible.”
He reiterated that he is not part of any destabilization effort.
“I want everything to remain peaceful. This is a rally against corruption, not a revolution,” he said. “If the President resigns, that would be more honorable. He should not wait for people to become angrier.”
