Filipino politician jailed in Hong Kong for cocaine trafficking

A prominent Philippine congressman was jailed for 18 months in Hong Kong on Thursday for trafficking cocaine.

Ronald Singson, 41, had pleaded guilty to trafficking 6.67 grams of dangerous drugs when in Hong Kong en route to the gambling hub of Macau last summer.

He admitted that he had been addicted to cocaine as a form of "self-medication" for depression, but had since undergone detoxification.

Judge Joseph Yau said it was sad to see Singson, who had "virtually everything" including a filmstar girlfriend and a two-year-old daughter, fall from grace.

"He doesn't treasure what he has and indulges himself in dangerous drugs," Yau told a packed courtroom.

The judge said the severity of the cocaine possession warranted a heavier sentence, but mitigating factors included Singson's political career, clean criminal record and the fact that the drugs were for his own use.

Singson hails from a wealthy Filipino political dynasty. His father, Luis "Chavit" Singson, is a well-known political heavyweight who helped bring down former president Joseph Estrada.