Press Release
August 3, 2010

Drilon says he can vouch for 'honesty and integrity' of Secretary Singson

Liberal Party National Chairman Senator Frank Drilon today said he was prepared to vouch for the "honesty and integrity" of Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson whom he said was apparently being subjected to an "orchestrated smear campaign by those who oppose reform in government."

"I was with Secretary Rogelio Singson in the Cory Aquino Cabinet and I can vouch for his honesty and integrity in his workings with both the private and public sectors," Drilon said in a prepared statement.

"Obviously, the people behind this smear campaign want to stop him from implementing the much-needed reforms in the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)," said Drilon, who served as executive secretary, justice secretary and labor secretary during the Ramos and Cory Aquino administrations.

"The purpose of the smear campaign is not only to discredit Singson but also to divert the public attention from the real issues of the day such as the investigation into graft and corruptions cases in the MWSS," the senator said.

Earlier, Singson said he was willing to resign from his post if found guilty of any involvement in a supposed "midnight deal" over a water concession agreement for the planned Pagcor Entertainment City in Parañaque.

"I will bet my life on it," Singson said of the arrangement which Maynilad Water Services Inc., entered into with state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) last year when he was president of the water concessionaire. President Benigno Aquino III has summoned Singson to Malacañang to defend himself before a nationally televised press conference.

Drilon said as national chairman of the ruling Liberal Party, he was throwing his full support behind Singson. "We support the campaign launched by Secretary Singson to eradicate the grafters and abusive officials in the MWSS," Drilon said.

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