MANILA - The former live-in partner of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis 'Chavit' Singson on Wednesday withdrew her petition for a permanent protection order against President Arroyo's deputy national security adviser.

Rachel 'Che' Tiongson withdrew her petition, which was filed after she was allegedly mauled by Singson and his bodyguards last August. The court had earlier issued a temporary protection order (TPO) against Singson.

Prior to a court hearing on Wednesday, both parties submitted manifestations that they were already willing to talk and settle their domestic conflict.

“But before the proceeding could ensue, there were manifestations by both parties that there were attempts to amicably settle the issue of support and custody of the children,” said the legal counsel of Singson.

“Winithdraw niya ang petition for the issuance… because both of them realize, for the good of their children, for them to talk. Because with the TPO, they cannot talk. The TPO will serve no good purpose,” she said.

Singson and Tiongson talked in a closed-door proceeding with the judge.

For the children's sake

Tiongson confirmed that she withdrew the petition for the sake of their children.

“Pinag-isipan ko naman ito ng mabuti. Lalo na it’s for the sake of my children. I withdrew my petition for a protection order…. Kasi may lima kaming anak at nasa kanya iyong mga anak, at imposible iyon na di kami mag-uusap. Although iyong reconciliation na sinasabi ko, di naman ibig sabihin noon na magkabalikan kami o ano...[It's] For the sake of our children,” said Tiongson in an interview after the court proceeding.

She said it took her a long time to decide, but she eventually withdrew it so she could see her children again.

“Matagal, mahirap. The kids are the ones suffering here. Kaya ginawa ko iyon for them…Iyong maliliit [na anak] ko, sabi ko may tinatapos lang ako. Kaya eto na nga iyon. Dahil tinapos ko na rin talaga kaya magkikita na rin kami finally ng mga bata,” she said.

When asked if she will ask for a public apology from Singson, Tiongson said: “Di naman. In-explain lang niya ang nangyari…Ang hiningi ko lang is di na mangyari ulit.”

'Che' can visit kids again

Singson said that with the withdrawal of the petition, Tiongson can visit their children at his house anytime.

“Magpagkasunduan lang iyong dalaw-dalaw niya sa mga bata at di ko naman pinipigil iyon. In fact, sabi ko nga sa mga bata, mamili sila kung saan nila gusto. Lahat naman sila gusto sa akin. Nasanay naman sila sa akin. Kung gusto niyang dalawin, okay lang sa akin, wala namang problema,” Singson explained.

He said Tiongson withdrew her petition voluntarily.

Tiongson also confirmed that she did not push to get custody of their children, even though she is entitled to it under the law.

“No, because we’re not married. At hindi ko naman hiningi iyon [custody]. Ang hiningi ko lang, iyong visiting…[visitation rights]. Pero actually, ang mga bata, dahil sa Family Law natin, dapat sa mom talaga, pero di ko na rin pinaglaban iyon. Kasi naaawa din naman ako sa mga bata. At I’m sure magkakasama din talaga kami,” said Tiongson

No regrets for going public

Tiongson said she had no regrets about exposing the domestic abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of Singson.

“No, wala akong pinagsisihan. Kasi kung itatago ko rin iyon, ako rin ang mahihirapan eh. Kailangan ko talaga siyang ilabas para maipakita ko, kahit sa korte, na may nangyari sa akin na hindi naman talaga tama. Kahit anupaman ang nagawa ko, di pa rin naman talaga tama. So iyon lang naman ang gusto ko at sana di na mangyari ulit,” said Tiongson.

Tiongson said she believes it will not happen again.

“Sa tingin ko wala na. Lumabas na rin naman sa public. Malaking tulong na lumabas ako, lumabas sa media. I don’t think na mangyayari pa ito ulit. At saka marami nang nakakaalam,” said Tiongson.

When asked if she has forgiven Singson, Tiongson replied: “Oo matagal na.”

Reconciliation possible: friends

Tiongson and Singson after court proceedings, Sept. 30, 2009

Meanwhile, the estranged couple's close friends, Annabelle Rama and Nadia Montenegro, admitted mediating between the two camps. They said there is a chance Tiongson and Singson would reconcile.

“They’re my close friends. Isa ako sa nag-mediate sa dalawa na mag-ayos sila. Kaya sinisiguro ko lang kanina na ayos na sila. Sa tingin ko lang, ayos na sila,” said Rama, who came to the hearing.

“As of yesterday, kausap ko si gov, mukhang lumambot na ang puso niya. Mukhang in love pa rin talaga sila sa isa’t isa hanggang ngayon…Nakita ko naman talaga na mahal pa rin ni Chavit si Che, at mahal pa ni Che si Chavit, kaya magkabalikan pa siguro ang dalawang iyan,” said Rama.

Montenegro asked the public, as well as the media, to give the two some space.

“If they can't be the best lovers, let them be the best parents to their kids. Makikiusap na rin ako sa lahat na give them a chance to let them live their lives together or kahit hindi together, better together, but give them a chance to live their lives again…Kasi it’s a family matter. Nagkataon lang na sikat si Pareng Chavit,” appealed Montenegro, in an interview after the hearing.

Singson willing to pay for Che's wedding

Singson said he is willing to let go of Tiongson, even to the extent of paying for her wedding.

“Kung meron siyang talaga na gusto, okay lang. Even now, tulungan ko rin siyang magpakasal, Gusto ko rin siyang malagay sa katahimikan. Walang problema sa akin iyon,” said Singson.

He only asks that Tiongson be open and honest with him.

“Huwag lang iyong patago-tago...Ang ayaw ko lang ang magulo...maliwanag na inaamin naman niya na ganoon,” said Singson.

Singson also said he has also forgiven Tiongson for going public with their conflict.

When asked if there was a chance they would live together again, he said: “Depende lahat iyan kung magbago...But I’m not sure dahil sa mga nangyari. Kung sincere ang isang tao, possible lahat iyan.”

'Tremendous pressure'

Meanwhile, a women’s activist group which supported Tiongson said it recognizes the pressres women face in these cases.

The Gabriela National Alliance of Women, in a statement, said Tiongson has made them aware of “the tremendous pressure that this case and her predicament has caused her.”

“Like other abused women whom we have encountered and assisted in the 25 years of Gabriela's staunch advocacy for the rights and welfare of women, 'Che' wanted to fight, but in the end she was overwhelmed with the pressure that she had to face," Gabriela said. From a report of Ces Oreña Drilon. ABS-CBN News