Interesting opinion about the Chavit Singson-Che Tiongson case

I found this very interesting editorial from Manila Times and I just have to share it with you because I share the same opinion with the writer's.

The Singson-Tiongson scandal, some people are saying, is one more proof that this country has gone to the dogs.

Here is one of the high officials of the land, a close ally of the President. He is the Deputy National Security Adviser. Undersecretary Luis “Chavit” Singson, a former provincial governor, has admitted beating up his former common-law wife of 17 years, the mother of five of his children.

Her pictures as a beauty and as one with a swollen face, red, black and blue where she received the blows, have been splashed around the world.

He admits having beaten her boyfriend as well. He had found them together in a posh townhouse in Quezon City. He boasts of having in fact saved their lives because the men he had assigned to shadow Rachel Tiongson and Richard Catral thought their mission was to kill them. He stopped his men from killing his former live-in partner and her present lover. He wants to be seen as the victim of a perfidious partner. He told the Inquirer “I am innocent, I am the victim here and I can prove it in court.”

In a Quezon City court, Ms. Tiongson has charged Undersecretary Singson with violating Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Law. He has the opportunity to prove his claim of innocence and victimhood there.

But in all likelihood, given what he has admitted to media, all he can prove is that he acted with the frenzy of a brokenhearted and jealous man whose violence against his beloved and her lover was a “crime of passion.” We are, however, not in a country (like France) that excuses perpetrators of crimes against their wives and sweethearts under the rubric of romantic love. Instead we have Republic Act 9262, the newly enacted Magna Carta of Women and other laws in our criminal code that hold perpetrators liable for attacking and injuring anyone—except in self defense.

Besides, both Ms. Tiongson and Undersecretary Singson have told the media that they have been separated for some time. Therefore, in her reckoning, he no longer has any right over her affections and can have new lovers if she wants.

Malacañang’s response the worse scandal

The greater and worse scandal, however, is the response of Malacañang to this ugly drama. At first, the Palace asked Mr. Singson “to behave.” About that he offered the comment that he was in fact well-behaved and had not killed anyone despite what Ms. Tiongson and Mr. Catral had done to him.

Then, on Monday, Malacañang, through the voice of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo, sounded a bit more stern. The President, Ms. Fajardo said, was disturbed by the “domestic problem” of Mr. Singson and the charges laid against him who is “regarded as part of her [the President’s] circle, though not part of her official family.” Ms. Fajardo also explained that the President could not suspend Undersecretary Singson because the accusation against him had nothing to do with his job.

So, Malacañang urged him, through Ms. Fajardo, to take a leave of absence—out of delicadeza (a sense of propriety). She also said National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, being Undersecretary Singson’s immediate boss, had been instructed to “make the appropriate recommendations” to the President.

Sec. Gonzales should just fire his Usec

Instead of making “the appropriate recommendations” Secretary Gonzales should just summarily fire Mr. Singson for conduct unbecoming of a high official and for not giving a damn about the rule of law. And he should find out if Mr. Singson has secured the necessary permits to keep a pet tiger at home.

Mr. Singson has virtually dared Malacañang to remove him (according to the Inquirer). By firing Undersecretary Singson, Secretary Gonzales would be helping prove that this country has not yet completely gone to the dogs.

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Psychologist: Chavit's ex-lover may have 'battered wife syndrome'

A lot of abused women can relate to this story. Obviously, Che was abused who perhaps never had the chance to move on because she may have the "battered wife syndrome". Dr. Montes gave a crystal clear of what Che might have gone through.

MANILA - The story of National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson and his common-law-wife Rachel "Che" Tiongson could be a classic case of abuse, according to a Filipino psychologist.
Dr. Jovita Mantaro Montes, health services director of women's advocacy group GABRIELA, said Tiongson may be suffering from a psychological condition called "battered wife syndrome" that results from prolonged mental and emotional abuse.
Tiongson recently made headlines when she accused Singson of lashing her with a whip and beating her up after he caught her with another man.
She said that she and Singson have been separated since November last year, a claim that Singson later denied.
Singson alleged in a previous interview that he caught Tiongson having sex with her boyfriend, Richard Catral, inside her apartment but denied that he hurt them as a result.

Good start, rocky ending
Tiongson said in an interview with ABS-CBN's Ces Drilon that the lashing incident followed years of emotional and mental abuse she suffered under Singson.
As his common-law-wife, she said she was kept under a tight leash and was reportedly under surveillance even after their alleged separation.
"Hindi na naging normal ang life ko. Takot na takot ako, nagtatago ako. After pa noong, noong nangyari (lashing), parang ako pa iyong nagtatago. How many days talaga ako bago lumabas (with the charges), kasi pinag-isipan ko talaga," she said.
Tiongson said she met Singson, who was then a congressman, when she was a freshman in college.
Tiongson, who described herself as a simple provincial lass then, said she fell in love with the politician.
"At that time, pinakita niya sa akin ang pagiging gentleman niya, generous at thoughtful. Iyong nagpapadala ng bulaklak, mga ganoon. Niligawan naman niya talaga ako. Humarap pa siya sa family ko sa [General Santos City]," she said.

Dependency
After the pair shacked up together and had their first baby, Singson reportedly asked Tiongson to stop school so she could focus on their family.
He also assured Tiongson that he would marry her someday. The pair have been together for almost 17 years and have 5 children together.
Tiongson said the romance started fizzling out when Singson became preoccupied with other, much younger women.
She said Singson would also treat her badly, as when he would use her for sex, or when he would ask for receipts whenever she would spend money he gave her.
"Nasanay na ako sa ganoon, basta pag inaabutan niya ako (ng pera), masaya na ako. Nasanay ako na dependent ako. Lumiliit na rin iyong tingin ko sa sarili ko kasi ang pakiramdam ko, parang hindi na ako asawa," she said.
"Very influential siya eh, sino lang ako? Iniisip ko kung gusto kong umalis na, anong gagawin ko? Wala akong bahay, wala akong ipon, wala akong (property) na sabihin ko na akin," she added.

Telltale signs
Dr. Montes said that Tiongson's case may be a classic case of "battered wife syndrome." She said that women with this condition tend to think of their partners as "saviors" who will help them rise from poverty.
In fact, one of the main reasons that women stay with their abusive partners is because of economic dependency.
This is more common among women who have never held a job or who never graduated from college.
"A big part of battered wife syndrome is the capacity of the partner to provide for the family, pay for children's education, and give a comfortable life to the family. This is why it's not that easy to leave, even if they are not married," Montes said in Filipino.
Women who partner up with prominent figures also fear that they will hurt them or their children. In some cases, the abused partner loses self-esteem and fears the uncertainty of starting a life without the financial assistance of their partner.
"Sometimes they prefer the certainty of being beaten," she said.
Montes said it is natural for women to take up boyfriends even after they escape from an abusive relationship.
This is because women feel vulnerable and tend to look for admiration from other men in order to regain their self-esteem.

Domestic violence cases on the rise
Montes added that violence can also become a cycle in the relationship. When the abusive partner repeatedly shows remorse for his or her actions, the woman may think that it is alright to be physically abused because their partner seems sorry for what he had done.
The woman also hopes in vain that their abusive partner will change.
According to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) studies, there were 1,944 reported cases of domestic violence in 2008. This is higher than the 1,701 reported cases in 2007.
Philippine National Police Women's Desk data, meanwhile, lists 4,981 domestic violence cases in 2008 compared to 3,963 cases in 2007.
The agency's data revealed that 22% of these cases occured in the National Capital Region, followed by Davao.
Montes said the cases will stop growing if women learn how to overcome their fear and leave their abusive partners.
She said these battered wives or partners must realize that they have a right to live a life of their own, if they want it.
Tiongson recently filed a complaint before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against Singson for allegedly violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Law. Penalties under the law include imprisonment and fines of up to P300,000. Report by Sheryll Mundo, ABS-CBN News.

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To Chavit Singson, there is no excuse for violence

MANILA - Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Leila de Lima on Saturday assailed deputy National Security Adviser Luis Singson for his "arrogance" and urged his common-law wife Rachel 'Che' Tiongson to file a human rights complaint.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, de Lima lamented Singson's statement in media interviews, including with dzMM and ABS-CBN News, that Tiongson and her boyfriend should be thankful he did not kill them for their affair.

"As a government official, he [Singson] is covered by the Code of Conduct of public officials. Kaya tamang pinagsabihan siya ng Palasyo, especially since he holds a public position. He is a powerful man and hindi dapat ganyan, fino-flaunt yung power. To me, there's arrogance there," de Lima said, when asked to comment on the incident involving Singson and his wife.

Tiongson and her boyfriend suffered physical beatings allegedly at the hands of Singson or his bodyguards after he found them together in an apartment last August 22.

Tiongson was allegedly beaten and lashed with a whip that Singson uses to discipline his pet tiger. Her boyfriend was also allegedly beaten up, forcibly undressed, and tortured.

Under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Ethics for Government Officials and Employees, public servants are supposed to respect human rights and to act with "justness."

A provision in RA 6713 states: "(c) Justness and sincerity - Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest...."

Administrative sanctions

De Lima said the fact that Singson is a high-ranking official of the National Security Council "makes it more imperative na kailangan malaman talaga kung ano ang kanyang pananagutan diyan."

"To me, all the more that it should be deplorable because he's a powerful man, and hindi puwede yung ganun-ganun lang. And then you know, totoo ba yun? Na when he was interviewed, he even said, 'Buti nga hindi ko pinatay.' The mentality is there is alarming," she said.

De Lima said Singson could face administrative sanctions for violation of the Code of Ethics.

"We can recommend or not for possible prosecution and other sanctions like administrative," she added.

De Lima also encouraged Tiongson to file a human rights complaint before the CHR for violation of the Law Against Violence Against Women and Children.

Even if Tiongson has filed a separate complaint before the Quezon City trial court against Singson, de Lima said the filing another one before the CHR is still allowed.

Violence against Women

"Nasa mandate din namin yan, to look into cases of violations of women's rights, particularly violations under the Law Against Violence Against Women and Children. And lalu na, it's particularly more compelling now that we have a Magna Carta of Women," she said.

Under the Magna Carta of Women, de Lima said the "CHR has been designated as the gender and development Ombudsman, with jurisdiction to investigate or look into human rights violation of women, especially issues of discrimination."

Based on media interviews given by Tiongson, de Lima said it would appear that her rights as a wife were violated.

"She's a battered wife. And violence really against women should not be tolerated by a civilized society," she said.

In case Tiongson files a case, de Lima said this would fall under "human rights violations of a woman, and the larger picture of violence against women.

"You know, wife battering, battering of wives, battering of common-law wives. When you say wives, either legal or common-law. Battering of women, it has to stop. Kasi, I think laganap pa rin yan sa Pilipinas. Marami lang hindi nagsusumbong for the sake of the family, for the sake of the children. But that is totally deplorable, that is inexcusable," de Lima said.

Torture vs boyfriend

De Lima said the CHR may also look into the reports of torture committed against Tiongson's alleged boyfriend, Richard Catral.

"Isa pa yon. Lalu na kung totoo yun na tinorture. Again, torture or infliction of physical harm is not justified and is a basis for a complaint. It's an actionable wrong," she said.

De Lima said Singson would be entitled to due process.

On Friday, the Office of the President on Friday advised Singson to "behave accordingly as an upright citizen and submit himself to due process of the law."

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said he was not aware if President Arroyo's deputy national security adviser used government resources to spy on Tiongson.

Singson is considered one of the most influential politicians in the country. His testimony in the impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada in 2000 led to the fall of the Estrada administration and the rise to power of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in January 2001.

Singson virtually admitted on Wednesday over dzMM that he beat up his wife last month after discovering she had an affair, and added she should be thankful he didn't kill her.

Bruised face and arms

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN's Ces Oreña Drilon, Tiongson showed pictures of her badly-bruised face and arms allegedly caused by the beatings she suffered at the hands of Singson last August 22 after he found her with her boyfriend in her apartment.

She said Singson beat her up and even lashed her using the whip he uses to discipline his pet tiger.

Singson and his bodyguards also allegedly undressed Tiongson's boyfriend, took pictures of his penis, beat him up, and tortured him.

Tiongson also revealed that Singson's treatment of her even before the beating made her look down on herself. "I really felt I wasn't a wife anymore. Like I was just a servant. If he gave me money, he would ask for receipts so he would know where the money went. I used to be the wife and then he was just discarding me," she said.

A Quezon City trial court has granted Tiongson's request for a protection order against Singson, which means he should not go near his wife.

Remonde said Malacañang's actions on Singson will "depend on the outcome of the case."

Attempted homicide?

On Friday, in an interview over Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG), Singson said he never admitted that he beat up his wife, although he said she did get hurt.

Singson reiterated his earlier statement that Tiongson, with whom he has five children, should be thankful she's alive.

Singson said he has already received a subpoena after Tiongson sued him for violating Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004. The two are scheduled to appear before a local court on September 8.

Still, he said he is already severing his ties with Tiongson. "Again, good luck. Wala na akong pakialam sa iyo," he said.

Family law expert Katrina Legarda, meanwhile, said Tiongson has a strong case against Singson if she will use Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004. She said Tiongson has to choose whether to file a complaint of physical injury, attempted homicide or attempted murder. If found guilty, Singson could face up to 20 years in jail for attempted homicide or attempted murder. [ABS-CBN]

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