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Chavit Singson | |
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![]() Singson in 2023 | |
Mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur | |
In office June 30, 2019 –June 30, 2022 | |
Vice Mayor | Pablito Sanidad Sr. |
Preceded by | Zuriel Zaragoza |
Succeeded by | Pablito Sanidad Sr. |
Member of the Narvacan Municipal Council | |
In office June 30,2016 –June 30,2019 | |
Governor of Ilocos Sur | |
In office June 30,2010 –June 30,2013 | |
Preceded by | Deogracias Victor Savellano |
Succeeded by | Ryan Luis Singson |
In office June 30,2004 –June 30,2007 | |
Preceded by | Deogracias Victor Savellano |
Succeeded by | Deogracias Victor Savellano |
In office June 30,1992 –June 30,2001 | |
Preceded by | Mariano Trajon |
Succeeded by | Deogracias Victor Savellano |
In office January 1,1972 –March 26,1986 | |
Preceded by | Carmen Crisologo |
Succeeded by | Jose G. Burgos Jr. |
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Ilocos Sur's 1st congressional district | |
In office June 30,1987 –June 30,1992 | |
Preceded by | Vacant Post last held by Floro Crisologo |
Succeeded by | Mariano Tajon |
Member of the Vigan City Council | |
In office December 30,1963 –December 30,1971 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Luis Crisologo Singson June 21,1941 Vigan,Ilocos Sur,Philippine Commonwealth |
Political party | NPC (2021–present) |
Other political affiliations | Nacionalista (1971-1980;2010–2021) Lakas-CMD (2000–2010) PMP (1998–2000) LDP (1992–1998) PDP–Laban (1987–1992) KBL (1980–1987) Liberal (1963–1971) |
Spouse(s) | Evelyn Verzosa (died 2016) [1] |
Residence(s) | Sulvec,Narvacan,Ilocos Sur |
Alma mater | Colegio de San Juan de Letran (BComm) |
Occupation | Businessperson,politician |
Luis Crisologo Singson (born June 21,1941),better known as Chavit Singson (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈtʃavɪtˈsiŋson] ), is a Filipino businessman and retired politician, [2] who last served as the mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur from 2019 to 2022. He was also the governor of the province of Ilocos Sur, starting from 1972 until 1986, again from 1992 until 2001, and again from 2004 to 2007 and from 2010 until 2013. He was also the Deputy National Security Adviser for the Philippine government (2008).
He ran for Senator under Team Unity in 2007, but lost.
Chavit Singson was born on June 21, 1941, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He is second eldest among the seven children of José Singson and Caridad Crisólogo. He studied in Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila and finished his Commerce degree.
Both his paternal (Singson) and maternal (Crisologo) families have dominated the political environment of the Ilocos region for generations. Although many members of both families, such as Chavit are related to one another, the two families have shared a bitter feud which reached its apex in the 1960s and 1970s, when shootings and political intimidation were rampant in the Ilocos region. Chavit considered his uncle, Floro Crisologo as a mentor, but eventually had a severe falling out with his cousin and once-confidant Vincent Crisologo who was Floro's son and there were many bloody encounters between the two. It is currently stated by both sides that tensions have eased. [3]
In October 2000, Singson publicly accused his friend and then-President Joseph Estrada of plotting to assassinate him after a falling-out over the share of jueteng and tobacco revenues. He also confessed to being Estrada's personal collector of such revenues in Luzon. Singson's revelations helped trigger protests against Estrada, leading to his impeachment and overthrow in the Second EDSA Revolution in January 2001. [4] [5] [6]
Singson secured a spot as a candidate for the 2007 Philippine senatorial elections after siding with the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, despite being former friends with the former president Joseph Estrada. [7] After losing the elections, Singson was appointed Deputy National Security Adviser on September 5, 2008, by Arroyo. [8] He mended his friendship with Estrada sometime later. [9] He was a member of Lakas-CMD until 2010. [10]
In the 2010 Philippine presidential election he endorsed the bid of Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party and in the 2013 elections he supported the candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance. [10]
Singson has served as governor of Ilocos Sur for multiple terms. In 2019, he was elected as mayor of Narvacan under the local party Bileg Ti Ilokano. [10]
Singson is also a longtime supporter of boxer Manny Pacquiao who was elected as senator in 2016. However they had a falling out after Pacquiao pushed to increase the tobacco excise tax. Singson opposed Pacquiao's move saying that the tax increase would "kill" the tobacco industry, with his province Ilocos Sur being a major tobacco producer. Singson alleged that his unnamed "handlers" advised Pacquiao to project an image of someone who "isn't easily controlled by anyone" – by Pacquiao disassociating with Singson. [9] [11]
On June 19, 2021, Singson joined the Nationalist People’s Coalition. [10] In August 2024, he announced his bid to run for Senator in the 2025 elections. [12]
Through his conglomerate LCS Group of Companies, Singson pledged to raise $11 million needed to host the Miss Universe 2016 pageant in the country on January 30, 2017, according to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo. [13] For the big event, which was to entail a budget of about $13-million, Singson had tapped possible sponsors including big hotels where the candidates and the Miss Universe entourage will be billeted. [14] On October 8, the company filed its bid [15] to become a third telecommunications provider in the Philippines.
In November 2018, Singson entered the Philippine automobile industry with Legado Motors Inc. (LMI), which is the exclusive distributor of GAC Motor vehicles. [16]
Presently, Singson is the president of the Philippine National Shooting Association, a local governing body for shooting sports in the country since 2018. [17] Singson was also noted for his affiliation with professional boxer, Manny Pacquiao often accompanying him in trainings, press releases, and his fights. He was also involved in negotiations in securing a bout for Pacquiao with Floyd Mayweather Jr. [9]
In 2010, Singson sued Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago for libel after the latter referred to him as a "jueteng lord" during a privilege speech in the Senate. The complaint was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in February 2011, citing Santiago's parliamentary immunity. [18]
In July 2013, Singson, along with Deogracias Victor Savellano were charged with graft by the Office of the Ombudsman following a 2002 complaint over the alleged misuse of financial assistance worth P26 million taken from Ilocos Sur’s share in the revenues from the national government’s tobacco excise tax during their governorships. [19] However, both were acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in August 2014, citing the significant delay before the Ombudsman formally opened a preliminary investigation into the complaint in 2012. [20]
In April 2024, Singson was fined P5,000 after his convoy was caught travelling by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) inspectors along a section of EDSA in Quezon City reserved for buses of the EDSA Carousel. In response, Singson apologized for the offense and paid the fine. He also offered P200,000 to the traffic inspectors who intercepted him as a reward for doing their duty, which was later received by the MMDA. [21] [22] However, the Civil Service Commission subsequently said that the MMDA's acceptance of the reward was a violation of ethics laws governing public employees. [23]
Singson was first married to Evelyn Singson. [24] He has a son with Evelyn, Ryan Luis Singson who grew up to be a politician like himself. [25] The couple which later separated, had six other children. [26]
He also had Rachel Tiongson as his common-law wife with whom he has five children. Their relationship ended in 2009 after Tiongson was beaten up by Singson after she allegedly had an affair with another man although Tiongson claimed they have been estranged since November 2008. [27] [28] [29]
In 2012, Singson publicly introduced Josephine Pintor as his partner. [30]
Singson does trophy hunting as a hobby. He established in the Baluarte Zoo in Vigan after his game collection grew large. He keeps taxidermized remains of some of the animals he hunted at the Safari Gallery in Baluarte. [31]
Ilocos Sur, officially the Province of Ilocos Sur, is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan while Candon is the most-populous city. Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south and the South China Sea to the west.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada, also known by the nickname Erap, is a Filipino politician and former actor, who served as the 13th President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, the 9th Vice President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, and the 22nd Mayor of Manila, the country's capital from 2013 to 2019, also served as the 14th Mayor of San Juan from 1969 to 1986. In 2001, he became the first chief executive in Asia to be formally impeached. At the age of 87, he is currently the oldest living former Philippine president.
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan, is a 4th class component city and capital of the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 53,935 people.
The Second EDSA Revolution, also known as the Second People Power Revolution, EDSA 2001, or EDSA II, was a political protest from January 17–20, 2001 which peacefully overthrew the government of Joseph Estrada, the thirteenth president of the Philippines. Following allegations of corruption against Estrada and his subsequent investigation by Congress, impeachment proceedings against the president were opened on January 16. The decision by several senators not to examine a letter which would purportedly prove Estrada's guilt sparked large protests at the EDSA Shrine in Metro Manila, and calls for Estrada's resignation intensified in the following days, with the Armed Forces withdrawing their support for the president on January 19. On January 20 Estrada resigned and fled Malacañang Palace with his family. He was succeeded by Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who had been sworn into the presidency by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. several hours earlier.
Vigan Airport, also known as Mindoro Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Vigan, the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur, located in the province of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The airport is the only one located in Ilocos Sur, at Barangay Mindoro.
Chavit, also known as Chavit Singson Story and Chavit: Blood Son of Ilocos, is a 2003 Filipino biographical drama film produced and directed by Carlo J. Caparas and starring Cesar Montano, Eddie Garcia and Dina Bonnevie.
Prospero Arreza Pichay Jr., also known as Butch Pichay, is a Filipino politician who served as Representative of Surigao del Sur's 1st district in the Philippine House of Representatives from 1998 to 2007 and from 2016 to 2022. He was the chairman of the House Committee on National Defense in the 13th Congress and deputy speaker in the 17th and 18th Congresses. He is a member of the formerly dominant political party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino and was a senatorial aspirant in the 2007 Philippine Senate election but lost.
Partas Transportation Co., Inc. is a bus transportation company in the Philippines. It operates a 24/7 service for passengers and freight between Metro Manila and northern Luzon, with services also running to the Cordilleras in Baguio, Bangued in Abra, and also to the south Occidental Mindoro. Partas also offers chartered service for tour groups.
Vincent "Bingbong" Pichay Crisologo is a Filipino politician and evangelist who served as the Representative of Quezon City's 1st District from 2004 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2019. He also served as a councilor in Quezon City from 1998 to 2004.
Jeremias "Jerry" Crisologo Singson, KGCR is the incumbent governor of Ilocos Sur. He was also considered as “Father of Day Care Center and Medical Mission” for his strong advocacy for child-friendly day care centers and series of medical missions throughout the province of Ilocos Sur. He served as Vigan Vice Mayor in 1988-1995, Senior Provincial Board Member in 1995-1998, Board Member in 1998-2001, Vice Governor in 2001-2004, Board Member in 2004-2007, and Vice Governor in 2007-2010 and in 2016-2022.
The presidency of Joseph Ejercito Estrada, also known as the Estrada administration, spanned 31 months from June 30, 1998, to January 20, 2001. Estrada was elected president of the Philippines in the May 11, 1998 national elections, receiving almost 11 million votes.
Ronald Verzosa Singson is a Filipino politician, businessman and philanthropist. He is the son of the patriarch of the Singson political clan Chavit Singson and Evelyn Verzosa-Singson. He is currently the representative of Ilocos Sur's first district in the 19th Congress, a position he holds since 2022. He previously served as the district's representative from 2007 to 2010, and again from 2013 to 2016.
A special election for Ilocos Sur's 1st district seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines was held on May 28, 2011. The special election was called after incumbent representative Ronald Singson resigned on March 7, 2011, after being convicted of drug possession by the Wan Chai District Court in Hong Kong. Vigan vice mayor Ryan Luis Singson, the former representative's brother, won the election and shall serve the remainder of his brother's term which will end on June 30, 2013.
The 2016 presidential campaign of Jejomar Binay, former Mayor of Makati and then-incumbent Vice President of the Philippines, was announced on July 1, 2015, during the launch of the United Nationalist Alliance as a political party at the Makati Coliseum.
The 2016 presidential campaign of Miriam Defensor Santiago, a then-incumbent Senator of the Philippines, was announced on October 13, 2015 at a book signing event. Miriam Defensor-Santiago submitted her certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 16, 2015. She was fifth overall in the election and lost to Rodrigo Duterte. Santiago died of lung cancer five months later.
Baluarte Zoo is a zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It was established by politician and businessman, Chavit Singson.
In May 2017, the House of Representatives of the Philippines began an investigation into alleged misuse of tobacco excise tax funds in the province of Ilocos Norte from 2010 to 2016, representing the first two gubernatorial terms of Imee Marcos, who was serving her third and last gubernatorial term at the time the investigation was initiated. Marcos, her longtime partner Mark Chua, and six Ilocos Norte local officials - Pedro Agcaoili, Eden Batulayan, Josephine Calajete, Encarnacion Gaor, Genedine Jambaro, and Evangeline Tabulog - were implicated in the investigation.
Ryan Luis Verzosa Singson is a Filipino politician currently serving as the Vice Governor of Ilocos Sur since 2022. He served as Governor from 2013 to 2022 and representative of the 1st district of Ilocos Sur from 2011 to 2013.
LCS Group of Companies, also known as LCS Holdings Inc., is a Philippine conglomerate. The LCS Group is founded by Filipino politician Luis Crisologo Singson who serves as its chairman.
Floro Singson Crisologo was a Filipino lawyer and politician who represented the 1st district of Ilocos Sur in the Philippine Congress from 1946 until 1959 and from 1961 until his assassination in 1970.