President Arroyo has instructed National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to step in the controversial domestic violence issue involving Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said Mrs. Arroyo “feels strongly” about the issue and instructed Gonzales to talk to Singson in relation with the criminal complaint lodged against him for beating up his common-law wife.

She also categorically stated that it is better for Singson to voluntarily take a leave of absence to settle the “personal” issue between him and his wife.

“The President has instructed National Security Adviser Gonzales to immediately talk to the good governor. But, personally I know out of delicadeza, Governor Singson doesn’t need the President to tell him to file a leave of absence, maybe he can do that himself, he can volunteer, to file a leave of absence if he feels the need to settle his personal problem first,” she told the reporters.

“We also have to reserve judgment until an investigation is ongoing,” she added.

She said no administrative charges have been filed against Singson and the Palace could not just lift a finger against him because the issue has nothing to do with his job as a Cabinet member.

“Any violence should not be tolerated at all. We assure that nobody is above the law,” Fajardo said.

Singson’s common-law wife, Rachel "Che" Tiongson lodged a criminal complaint against him for beating her up last August. Singson admitted that due to Tiongson’s infidelity, he hurt her.