JUST LIKE HIS father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. doesn’t want any obstacle on his road to “greatness,” and he seems to be doing just that.
Detained former President Rodrigo Duterte may be gone for good, Vice President Sara Duterte faces the possibility of being ousted via impeachment, members of the so-called inner circle hunted down or swayed to “jump ship.”
However, there is one staunch Duterte ally that Marcos can’t seem to appease — a fellow Ilocano by the name of Chavit.
The mere mention of Chavit translates to prowess. A kingpin for who knows how long, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson has prevailed “come hell or high water.”
His mastery in politics and business (legal or otherwise) made him stand out above the rest, some of whom already laid to rest. At the age of 84, he is no longer a gigolo. Amazingly though, he remains a chic magnet.
But just like other stories of greatness, Chavit must have realized that the law of gravity (everything that comes up must go down) is catching up on him. And from how it looks, his downfall may come soon.
For the past several weeks, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been pulling off stunts against illegal cigarette manufacturing, raiding one depot after another.
Then comes Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. He dragged two Northern Luzon politicians, whom the DILG boss tagged as masterminds behind the operations of illegal cigarette factories, including one facility in Mexico, Pampanga.
From my ever-reliable sources, Chavit is one of the two Northern Luzon politicians whom Jonvic is referring to as masterminds.
No less than PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has admitted zeroing in on the financial trail and evidence that could lead to the politicians behind cigarette smuggling and illegal manufacturing activities in the country.
The recent discovery of the illegal tobacco operation in Barangay Panipuan in Mexico, Pampanga, consecutive raids conducted in Batangas and Malabon, plus 10 other clandestine cigarette manufacturing facilities across the country, with a combined revenue amounting to a whopping P20 billion monthly — are all being linked to Chavit.
As if a non-bailable case of economic sabotage (over the alleged production of fake cigarettes) isn’t enough, Chavit is also facing a plunder complaint (another non-bailable offense) before the Office of the Ombudsman for an overpriced deal involving a 10-hectare land acquired by the Narvacan LGU in 2019 during his term as mayor.
There are also reports that Chavit has been supplying China with filling materials being used in creating artificial islands at the West Philippine Sea.
For one, Marcos has every reason to be mad at Chavit, who isn’t just another Duterte ally. Chavit talked too much, went as far as dragging the presidential son Ilocos Norte Congressman Sandro Marcos into the flood control scandal and calling for the President’s resignation.