MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 3) - Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson has been allowed to post bail of HK$1 million (approximately P5.7 million) after being arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport last month for drug possession.

A Hong Kong judge granted Thursday Singson's bail petition after his arrest for allegedly bringing cocaine to the former Crown Colony last July 11.

A report by ABS-CBN correspondent Henry Omaga Diaz said the HK$1 million will be paid as a surety bond by two Hong Kong businessmen who will take custody of Singson. He identified the 2 businessmen as a certain Annie Shie and Derrick Wong.

He said Ms. Shie was an acquaintance of Singson's father, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, who was present at the hearing on Thursday.

The court also ordered Singson to submit all his travel papers to ensure that he would not leave the territory until a final sentence is handed down.

Singson's arraignment has been reset to September 7. Singson's father, Luis, and rumored girlfriend, Lovi Poe, attended the hearing in Hong Kong Thursday morning.

Singson is facing drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong for carrying 6.7 grams of cocaine in his bag last July 11.

Earlier reports said Singson was carrying as much as 26.1 grams of cocaine and 2 tablets of Valium in his bag. Singson's father, however, said the amount was reduced after authorities "deducted the weight of the bottle containing the drugs."

Under Hong Kong law, Singson could be sentenced to 3-and-a-half years in jail if found guilty of drug possession.

Chavit: My son was set up

Speaking to ANC, Chavit Singson said he is thankful that his son will be freed on bail. "Yun ang unang magandang nangyari sa kaso. Bumababa na yung kaso dahil nabawas yung bote," he said.

He said his family will not be paying the HK$1 million surety bond since it is disallowed by the court. "These 2 guarantors gave the HK$500,000 each. Mabubuting tao ito," he said, without revealing their full names.

He also noted that the 2 have some investments in the Philippines.

Singson also claimed that his son might have been framed, possibly by political or business rivals. He alleged that his son's 2 companions were also carrying cocaine but were released after Singson agreed to take the fall.

"Kaya ayaw naming makialam nung una dahil pinag-aaralan namin. Mukhang may gumawa lahat ng ito at biktima lang siya dahil ilang taon na akong pumupunta sa Hong Kong at hindi ganyan ka-istrikto ang mga immigration dito. Parang pinahawak sa kanya tapos isinumbong dito. Bagamat yung mga kasamahan niya meron din pero nakalabas lahat. Para bang sinulsulan na aminin na niya para makalabas yung mga kasama niya," he said.

He added: "If he was set up, there are only 2 possible reasons for it: politics or business."

The former governor refused to divulge the names of his son's companions since he is still investigating the matter.

House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr., meanwhile, said the House leadership is continually monitoring Singson's drug case amid calls to sanction the Ilocos Sur congressman.  "The case is still pending. We will continue to monitor it and await developments," he said.

Group slams cover-up of NAIA probe

Leaders of the Center for Anti-Graft and Corruption Prevention, Inc, (The Center), meanwhile, claimed there is a cover-up or whitewash in the investigation into the culpability of officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in relation to the Singson's drug smuggling case last July 11.

Lane Afable, Center secretary-general, said probers have failed to come up with results on their investigation on possible acts of omission or commission by NAIA officials who allowed Singson to leave the country with cocaine and two tablets of diazepam.

He said several officials should face investigation in the Singson case, namely: NAIA Customs District Collector Carlos So, NAIA General Manager General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, on-duty customs officials at the Departure Area, and on-duty MIAA personnel who escorted Singson.

"It is possible that many of involved officials will hide behind the 'customary VIP-procedure' defense, but sadly, the law does not allow it, and no jurisprudence ever provided an express order exempting one from faithfully observing regulations. Thus, those who advertently or inadvertently helped Rep. Singson to freely leave the country with banned drugs should be punished," Afable said.

Afable said the VIP system at the airport utterly circumvents security laws and thus should be stopped. "If ever, it should only be applicable for use by heads of state, including those from foreign countries."   With a report from Henry Omaga Diaz, ABS-CBN News