Palace asks Singson to go on voluntary leave

It was not enough that Singson had been asked by Malacañang to go on leave, said Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza.

It is the government’s duty to champion women’s rights as embodied in the Magna Carta of Women and the VAWC, Maza said Monday in a phone interview.

“There should be an administrative sanction versus Singson; [he should] not merely take a voluntary leave. Malacañang’s justification for its soft handling of Singson’s controversy is contrary to the spirit and intent of RA 9262 and the newly passed Magna Carta of Women [which makes] government the primary duty bearer of the protection of women’s rights,” she said.

Ms Arroyo signed the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act No. 9710 just last month. The law, which was passed after seven years of debates in Congress, recognizes and protects women’s rights at home, at work and in all spheres of society.

All-boys club?

Tiongson has charged Singson of physically and verbally abusing her and her boyfriend, while Singson has accused Tiongson of infidelity.

Malacañang initially advised Singson to behave and submit himself to due process.

“[It looks] like an all-boys club,” Maza said. “We expected the President, as a woman, to issue a stronger statement.”

She also said that the letters which Singson had made public to show that he and Tiongson were still together did not absolve him of allegations of harming his partner. In the letters, which were written with an affectionate tone, Tiongson had asked Singson for money.

It is part of Singson’s duty to provide for the mother of his children, Maza said.