Business relationships can be multifaceted, and the partnership between Sherwin Quiambao and Chavit Singson exemplifies this complexity. Both individuals have had their share of legal challenges and successes in various business ventures, with an apparent focus on industries like online gambling and payment solutions. While the nature of their collaboration remains shrouded in mystery, their presence in the Asian business world is undeniable and suspicious.
Chavit Singson: A Business Tycoon with Political Power
Luis “Chavit” C. Singson, often referred to as Chavit Singson, is a prominent figure in the Philippines known for his diverse business portfolio and his significant contributions to both business and politics. With the support of his political power, Singson has earned a fortune and expanded his activities across multiple businesses in Manila and Southeast Asia.
Chavit Singson hailed from a family with a background in construction, which laid the foundation for his later business ventures. Singson’s rise in politics was rapid, and he eventually became the governor of Ilocos Sur. His political career was notable for its longevity because he served as governor for almost three decades, with his time as a congressman only briefly interfering. He was known for his tenacity and resilience, surviving several assassination attempts during his political career.
Political Corruption
Singson was a central player in one of the Philippines’ most significant political scandals, involving former President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment and ouster from power. Singson’s revelations about payoffs in the illegal numbers game, jueteng, played a crucial role in the case against Estrada.
Throughout his career, Singson has maintained that his wealth comes from legitimate business activities and emphasized that his family was involved in business long before his political involvement.
According to the Hindu Times, ever since a close political ally of President Joseph Estrada, the powerful provincial politician Chavit Singson, alleged over two months ago that he had delivered to the President 400 million pesos (about Rs.375 million) worth of the take from the illegal numbers game called jueteng, the nation has been forced to absorb one lesson after another, most of them rather unpleasant.
Singson is perceived as a formidable figure, particularly among the working class, and is often likened to a Filipino version of the Mafia. The threat of Singson’s involvement was sufficient to compel the bank employee to file a police report out of fear for their life, and the report mentions the former governor along with several others.
Significant incidents have occurred throughout Singson’s life, including his assertion that he gave President Joseph Estrada millions of dollars in illegal gambling proceeds over two years inside the Presidential Palace. Estrada later received a reclusión perpetua sentence from a special division of the Sandiganbayan on a charge of plunder for the theft of $80 million from the government, but the president and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, his former deputy, later pardoned him.
The son of former Governor of Ilocos Sur, Luis “Chavit” Singson. In July 2010, he was arrested at a Hong Kong airport for possessing cocaine. He was on his way to Macau. Singson’s son pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. According to Baterina, Singson completed his term in January 2012 and returned to the Philippines.
Singson’s daring ventures are not limited to politics, as he has reportedly survived several assassination attempts. Singson’s network extends further to include the four house representatives of the Ilocos region, including Ferdinand Alexandar Marcos, Angelo Marcos Barba, and his son Ronald Singson, along with Kristine Singson-Meehan. In addition, Rodel Benito shows up as a powerful man who is acting as director of several business ventures, including Ram Cars and First Globaltransit Inc.
Business Diversification
While Singson’s early career was steeped in politics, he didn’t limit himself to one field. He diversified his interests and became a business tycoon with investments across a wide array of industries. His business interests include construction, agriculture, transportation, mining, media, banking, finance, and retail, among others. That’s only on the surface. Resources show involvement in gambling and the forex industry.
Shavit is also known for his wild hobbies and fancy parties with his network. Currently, Singson is facing criticism for his involvement in hunting endangered species.
The relationship: Chavit Singson and Sherwin Quiambao
A previous investigation by a gambling news website uncovered several connections between the well-known figure, Chavit Singson, and former Bodog employee Sherwin Quiambao.
Several images of the individuals indicted in the conspiracy case were discovered. It is believed that the group of associates tried to empty a corporate bank account with a balance of approximately $3 million without Mr. Singson. When the bank teller became suspicious and refused to authorize the withdrawal, the group left the bank.
However, it’s alleged that the gang attempted the heist again on another day, and this time, one of the group members, Sylvia De Guzman, threatened the bank employee. To make matters worse, Sylvia De Guzman indicated her affiliation with Chavit Singson, which caused significant concern.
It is important to note that videos of the bank incident were captured on Closed Circuit TV throughout the branch for security purposes and have been viewed by prosecutors overseeing the case. Fortunately for the bank employee, Chavit did not return to carry out any threats.
Chavit Singson’s relationship with Sherwin Quiambao has been growing ever since. Currently, Quiambao plays a crucial role in running the business empire of Singson. However, Sherwin is still trying to keep a low profile due to his criminal records in the Philippines and Vietnam. Therefore, they use multiple business licenses and offshore licenses to manage their business.
Rodel Pedro Benito is another name in the hierarchy of Chavit Singson, with multiple roles. He is currently acting as the CEO of First Globaltransit Inc. and running the company under his name. The company, which is based in Makati Avenue, 1209 Makati City, Metro Manila, remains a big mystery since the nature of its services is undisclosed. According to resources, this company is the secret box of other shady businesses run by Singson and Sherwin. It has large office spaces and a huge workforce. Each year, they conduct several events and parties where they celebrate the success of their operations. However, Sherwin Quiambao seems to play a main role in this company, and his name appears in global news as managing director.
Another face: Rodel Pedro Pe Benito
Another important key player in Manila’s network is Rodel Pe Benito, considered a highly trusted asset for Singson and Sherwin. However, leaked information shows that Sherwin has the upper hand and is controlling Rodel from behind the scenes. Rodel is known for his rare appearance and maintains extensive connections with the business network in Manila.
Aximtrade: Behind the scene
The Singaporean Kelvin Tang and his wife Claire Leong run Axmitrade, one of the well-known companies under their umbrella. After facing financial scandals and lying off the majority of its workforce in Singapore, Manila, and Bangkok, the company is facing legal issues in Singapore. Following Kelvin Tang’s disclosure of leaked information, Sherwin Quiambao’s name also appears on the documents. The authorities are investigating several claims, including money laundering and financial scams. Moreover, recent documents have been released about the Axmitrade entity in Japan, which is currently conducting illegal forex trading for Japanese customers along with illegal money transactions. According to a recent report, journalists from Japan have been gathering information about Aximtrade activities.
Since the termination of the AloGateway payment channel, Sherwin and Kelvin have been using an unlicensed portal under the name of Aximpay. Recently, the payment channel has been facing several technical issues and delayed transactions, which triggered a massive wave of complaints on social media and forex forums such as wikifx. Eventually, the company is still trying to restart its activities in new markets, such as China and Japan, after losing their key markets.
Leveraging the political power of Singson, Kelvin Tang, and Sherwin Quiamabo, they are still operating multiple ventures and carrying out business activities in the region. Eventually, Kelvin Tang was a source of trouble for Manila’s network, and according to the leaked information, he is serving the last days in the business ventures. There are many rumors in the market about his legal situation in Singapore after his motorbike business was closed due to fraud. He is currently facing several legal cases in court.
Hiding the traces
Since the latest espoused articles and investigations, Sherwin Quiambao and other partners of Singson have been removing their traces from the media and the internet. Several reports have revealed ongoing investigations with internals regarding the leaked information. However, our investigation journalists can still discover more links and information about the network and their registered companies. The use of political power and money is as effective as it seems. The new traces of Kelvin Tang have been spotting the lights on the shady connection that has been covered carefully before.
Manila’s Mafia
Charges against the Gustafsson Gang are expected to continue, with many more lined up as audits work to uncover various scams and thefts. The recent car-napping indictment lists several individuals, including former Bodog staff driver Edwin Erfe, and former office administrator Jasmin Singh. Notably, the indictment also mentions former Bodog Europe CEO Patrik Selin and Robert Gustafsson, both Swedish Nationals. While the charges may seem related to a $700 motorcycle theft, they tie back to a broader conspiracy. Property crimes are taken very seriously in the Philippines, and those implicated face severe penalties, even for a seemingly minor offense.
As this complex and unfolding story continues to evolve, more information will come to light, and the drama in Southeast Asia is sure to persist.
Chavit is from the ancient world of bosses and strongmen. Their power comes from firearms, cash, and loyal men on their payroll. Men like them make money through criminal activities such as smuggling and gambling. They have genuine businesses, but these, too, get around the law and provide cover for the others. They hang out in elite circles and rub shoulders with the affluent and famous. They are allies of powerful people who provide them with protection and with whom they collaborate in crime.
Men like Chavit are unafraid to unleash their iron fist on those who upset them or throw doubt on their invincibility. They use this hand against business competitors, those who cannot be won over with material promises, and even erstwhile friends who they perceive have betrayed them. This is precisely what happened to Erap. After receiving a threat that the gaming franchise Erap was handing over to Atong Ang would take away his control over the gambling operations in Ilocos Sur, Chavit turned state witness against his friend and assisted in forcing him out of office. The brave people from Ilocos Sur who spoke out against the prior governor’s unethical actions met with a terrible fate. They have been silenced for all time.