MANILA, Philippines - Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Romero Federico “Miro” Quimbo left for Hong Kong Wednesday morning to observe court proceedings in the drug trafficking case of Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. Ronald Singson.

Quimbo, vice-chairman of the House of Representatives justice committee, left for the former Crown Colony Wednesday morning aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 318.

He said he was assigned to gather information on Singson's drug case to give the House legal basis on how it would deal with the congressman.

“I was assigned by the House of Representatives to gather documents, evidences and information on Rep. Singson’s case. We need all the evidence so we will know if we should impose sanctions or disciplinary action so that other congressmen will not follow his example," he said.

Asked how long he will stay in Hong Kong, Quimbo said he will stay there until he finishes gathering all the documents needed for his investigation.

Singson was arrested at the Customs arrival hall of Chek Lap Kok International Airport last July 11 for possession of 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of diazepam, more commonly known as Valium. He is currently detained at Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institute.

A copy of Singson's charge sheet obtained by ABS-CBN News showed that Singson has been charged with trafficking a dangerous drug.

Under existing law, suspects summarily convicted of bringing 10-50 grams of illegal substances such as cocaine or heroine to Hong Kong could be fined HK$500,000 (P2.9 million) and imprisonment of 3 to 8 years. This is the minimum penalty for Singson if he pleads guilty and is convicted of the crime.

On the other hand, Singson could be fined up to HK$5,000,000 (P29.7 million) and suffer imprisonment of 3 years to life if he pleads innocent  but is convicted of drug trafficking.
The charge sheet recommended no bail and no option for deportation for the Ilocos Sur congressman.

Singson first appeared before a Hong Kong court last July 22. His next hearing is scheduled on August 19.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. earlier said he will send a team to the hearing to get information on Singson's case.