HK court asked to impose lesser penalty on Singson

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

HONG KONG – (UPDATE 4) The court should impose a lower sentence on Congressman Ronald Singson who has been charged with possession of illegal drugs and be allowed to go back to the Philippines, his lawyer said Wednesday.

At the resumption of the hearing before Judge Joseph Yau of the Wan Chai District Court No. 4, John Reading, who is pushing for a reduction on the two-year jail term that his client is facing, cited the mitigating factors that should influence the court to impose the lesser penalty for Singson such as:

• pleading guilty to drug trafficking and public expression of remorse;
• Undergoing rehabilitation;
• Prospects of expulsion from the Philippine Congress; and
• Wide media coverage of the case in the Philippines.

Reading said his plea for considerable reduction in sentence was based on evidence of his client’s good character and statement that he has no intention to commit the same crime again here.

Reading also said the aggravating importance of the case should be cancelled out by the mitigating factors.

Reading also pointed out that Singson’s parents – former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson and ex-wife Evelyn – his six siblings and daughter Samantha were in court.

Full story here.