Rep. Singson's Arraignment is Postponed

Our marked calendar on the 7th of September, the day Ilocos Sur lawmaker Ronald Singson scheduled to enter his plea was a frustration. He has to go back to the court in October.

Out on bail but required to report to the police everyday, Singson is under the custody of his friends in Hongkong. It is remembered that the son of Ilocos Sur political kingpin and Governor Chavit Singson was caught in a Hongkong airport with illegal drugs in his possession.

John Redding, his counsel, asked the district court to postpone the hearing because his client was undertaking medical treatment and unable to enter a plea until he receives his medical report.

I am not a physician, a psychologist or a psychiatrist but it is intriguing to know the role of the medications that hinder Singson's capability to enter a plea. Am I accurate to assume that the medication he takes temporarily makes him insane or temporarily irrational? All he has to say after listening the charges against him when asked for his disposition is a simple “Guilty, your Honor” or “Not guilty, your Honor”.

There is no other explanation in the news why his arraignment was postponed till October 19 other than that.

Assuming that the medication he takes affects her mental coherence, why was he was rational when he told the press outside the court that he was under instruction not to comment on his medical condition? He looked macho and sharp.  He even kissed his baby before the crowd.

Questions tickle our mind. After the recent hostage-taking bloodbath, are we assured that justice is given to Rep. Singson? Chinese adrenalin has yet  to totally subsided due to the lapses committed by our police, so-called Manila’s Finest, in handling the hostage crisis that killed eight Hongkong residents.

With due respect to the Chinese jurisprudence, I believe that the case will be settled in accordance with evidence and fair play. As a non-lawyer, I don’t know Mr. Redding’s blueprint in defending his client caught red-handedly with the illegal drugs.  More of less, he has to sweat.

Again, we mark October 19, the day Congressman Singson goes back to court. Hopefully, Singson will receive his medical report in time for that day.

Do we expect Rep. Ronald Singson to be more macho and sharper after receiving his medical report? Whatever the contents of that, positive or negative, I hope we will hear his plea next month.  It's the one he is waiting for. -30-