MANILA, Philippines -- A leader of the militant bloc in the House of Representatives has welcomed the appointment of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson as deputy national security adviser.

Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo said party-list lawmakers had no reason to feel threatened by Singson’s presence in the intelligence hierarchy.

In fact, Ocampo said, “Chavit may be a check to National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales,” who is considered the nemesis of the militant lawmakers.

Ocampo has charged Gonzales with orchestrating a campaign to put militant party-list lawmakers and their allies back in jail.

“Chavit is his own man. He’s not one to follow the dictates of another unlike the current head of the NSA,” Ocampo told reporters.

Ocampo said Gonzales was instrumental in developing criminal cases against him, the late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran and the other leftist party-list representatives in Congress.

The Left has also accused Gonzales of being behind the extrajudicial killing of leaders and members of militant mass organizations tagged as communist fronts.

Ocampo, nonetheless, hinted it still wasn’t clear him how Singson could contribute to the national security agenda.

“We are not belittling his capacity,” said Ocampo, adding that they just did not know what specific task the Palace wanted Singson to perform.

Singson is the latest among allies of President Macapagal-Arroyo who lost their Senate bids in 2007 to be given a government position.

Singson blew the whistle on the illegal gambling payoffs that led to the downfall of President Joseph Estrada in 2001.

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, the deposed president’s son, said he believed the President made a poor choice in Singson. “I advise Secretary Norberto Gonzales to keep his eyes open 24 hours because he is sleeping with the enemy,” Estrada said.

He said Singson was not qualified because he only had “intelligence” for “jueteng” and other forms of gambling.

“He’s better off as jueteng minister,” Estrada said.

But Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said Singson was qualified. “I’m not going to judge him. He has many contacts in Mindanao. But I doubt he can bring about the desired peace. I’ve been with the problem for so long. I know the dynamics.”