Former Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson is once again at the center of a political storm, facing a slew of plunder and graft complaints filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday. The charges, lodged by the group Warriors Ti Narvacan, Inc., allege irregularities during Singson’s tenure, but the former mayor has vehemently denied the accusations, branding them a “diversionary tactic” and a politically motivated smear campaign.
The core of the plunder complaint revolves around the municipal government’s purchase of a substantial 99,974-square-meter property. The complainants claim Singson and several other officials conspired to defraud the municipality by executing an overpriced deal, acquiring the property for $\text{P}149.96$ million, despite a zonal valuation pegged at only $\text{P}49.987$ million. This alleged nearly $\text{P}100$ million difference is cited as ill-gotten wealth under the Plunder Law.
In a swift video statement response, Singson dismissed the allegations as “baseless and malicious.” He challenged the complainants’ valuation, stating that the property’s fair market value at the time was significantly higher, around $\text{P}800$ million ($\text{P}8,000$ per square meter). He further asserted that he personally sold the property to the municipality for a mere $\text{P}120$ million, claiming a personal loss of approximately $\text{P}680$ million. “Paninira na naman ‘yan at maliwanag na wala kaming ginawang masama. Kumita pa ang munisipyo, ako nalugi [ng] P680 million,” he explained, directly contradicting the narrative of personal profit.
Warriors Ti Narvacan, Inc., led by Atty. Estelita Cordero also filed a separate graft complaint against Singson and others, pointing to the alleged illegal occupation and privatization of a foreshore area in Sulvec, Narvacan, known as “Santorini.” The group claims resort-like structures were built without proper permits, causing undue injury to the government and violating environmental laws.
Singson’s strong denial and assertion of personal loss frame the legal battle as a political confrontation. With the Ombudsman now tasked to investigate the claims and counterclaims, the public is left to monitor the unfolding case, which pits a prominent political figure against an advocacy group pressing for accountability and transparency in local governance. The complaints seek criminal charges, restitution of the alleged overprice, and the preventive suspension of current officials implicated in the transactions.