Singson

In a hearing before two Senate committees -- covered live on national television -- Singson described the president as "the lord of all gambling lords."

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

Melinda de Jesus, a media analyst and political commentator, said that Singson turned on Estrada because "the president was not equal in giving favors to his cronies."

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

The aide gave the money to the president, said Singson.

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

Though Estrada's name does not appear in the list, Singson says they used a code: the initials A.S. That stands for Asyong Salonga, a tough film character that Estrada played in his former life as an actor.

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

It is said to pose a financial threat to an illegal numbers syndicate of which Singson is part.

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

Yet last week, in a surprise move, he accused the president of accept-ing about $12 million in illegal kickbacks -- $9 million in payoffs from gambling syndicates running a popular but illegal numbers game called jueteng, and almost $3 million from tobacco-tax money destined for the province of Ilocos Sur, where Singson is governor.

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

It wasn't so easy, though, when his erstwhile friend Luis (Chavit) Singson made his stunning allegations on Oct. 9.

Back To The Streets 2008

And Singson, who wears a diamond-studded Rolex and talks breezily about playing mah-jongg with the president for $825,000 stakes, admits that he came forward only because the president was cutting him out of some gambling business.

Back To The Streets 2008

Singson is not the most credible corruption witness; he has been suspected of mismanaging $43 million of his province's money.

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008

Political analysts say Estrada may have angered Singson by giving businessman Charlie Ang, a presidential buddy, control over a new -- and legitimate -- gambling game called bingo 2 ball.

'A Quarrel Among Thieves' 2008