Chavit Singson faces disqualification

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur, Philippines  —  A petition has been filed to disqualify former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, who is running for mayor of this town in next year’s elections. 

Singson has not established “actual, physical and personal presence” in Narvacan and does not intend to abandon his domicile in Vigan, former mayor Edgardo Zaragoza said in a petition filed before the Commission on Elections.

Zaragoza said Singson is not a resident even though he owns a house in Barangay Sulvec here.

Singson listed the same address when he ran for councilor in the 2016 elections.  

Zaragoza, who is seeking to regain his seat, said Singson lives the “life of a royalty” in a 80-hectare property dubbed as Baluarte in Barangay Salindeg in Vigan.

He said Singson’s house in this town is a “humble” two-bedroom house made of inexpensive materials with a garage that could fit only one car. 

Singson’s neighbors said the property is “uninhabited.”