Singson refuses to go on leave

A militant lawmaker on Monday strongly criticized Malacanang's soft handling of the charge of battering against Singson by his former partner.

Gabriela Representative Liza Maza said this is contrary to the spirit of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women And Children Act and the newly-passed Magna Carta of Women.

Maza said the Malacañang statement that the issue is a “domestic problem” is feigning ignorance of the law that any form of violence against women in a sexual relationship is a public crime under RA 9262.

“Malacanang's statement urging Singson to take a leave of absence condones the act of violence against women. It is clear in the Magna Carta of Women Chapter 3 section 5, that the state as the primary duty-bearer shall protect women against discrimination and from violation of their rights,” the party-list congressman said.

She added Malacañang's justification that it could not just slap Singson with a preventive suspension because the case had nothing to do with his job in the Cabinet is washing its hands clean of responsibility.

Citing the Magna Carta of Women, Maza said the government is mandated to “fulfill these duties through law, policy, regulatory instruments, administrative guidelines and other appropriate measure including temporary special measures.