Hong Kong may free Ronald Singson soon

CANDON CITY—Former Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson may be released earlier than his 18-month jail sentence in Hong Kong for drug trafficking, according to his brother who took over his congressional seat.

The former congressman is expected to leave his detention facility in the second week of January, serving less than 10 months of his sentence, “probably for good behavior,” Ilocos Sur Representative Ryan Singson said Thursday.

Their father, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, announced over ANC News Channel that Ronald would be released on January 14.

Ronald was sentenced on February 24 to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment by a Hong Kong Court Judge. He was arrested at Chek Lap Kok International Airport on July 11, 2010, for carrying  6.67 grams of cocaine and two tablets of the narcotic Nitrazepam (Valium). He pleaded guilty, but his counsel argued successfully in court that the drugs were for his personal consumption and were not intended to be sold.

“We are excited to be with him. After his sentencing, we have not seen him anymore. We can only visit him twice a month. And the family is limited to three people for each visit,” the governor said. “He wants to return to work, to handle our businesses and to help victims of drug addiction. I don’t believe he plans to return to politics at the moment.” Leoncio Balbin Jr, Inquirer Northern Luzon