MANILA, Philippines — Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, recently convicted of drug trafficking in Hong Kong, was officially dropped from the rolls of members of the House of Representatives Monday. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. announced this a few minutes before officiating the oath-taking of newly installed Rep. Homero Mercado of 1-Utak Party-list at the start of Monday’s plenary session.
With the dropping of Singson and entry of Mercado as congressman, the total number of House members was maintained at 283.
Belmonte said he had directed Secretary General Marilyn Yap to delete Singson’s name in the list of House members as a result of his resignation. He said the Ilocos Sur lawmaker submitted his letter of resignation on March 1, thus, prompting him to instruct Yap to “drop his name in the rolls” of members.
Singson, son of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, formally submitted his resignation following his conviction on drug trafficking charge by Hong Kong Wanchai District Court Judge Joseph Yau.
The younger Singson is currently serving an 18-month prison term for possession of 6.7 grams of cocaine at the Hong Kong International airport.
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the House will pass a resolution for a special election in the first district of Ilocos Sur for the former solon’s replacement.
Ben Rosario, Manila Bulletin
