DPP lawmaker, assistant might stay put in US

The DPP may lose a seat in the legislature if party member Cheng Yu-chen (鄭余鎮) decides to stay in the US with his assistant-turned-lover Sophie Wang (王筱嬋).

Wang told reporters yesterday that the couple may stay in the US to avoid the ruckus their relationship has created back home.

"Because societal criticism has given us a great deal of frustration, we have discussed the possibility of not going back to Taiwan," Wang told reporters by phone yesterday. "And we have made the best preparations" to keep our relationship intact, she said.

But Wang refused to go into further detail.

Cheng's attorney, Chiu Chang (邱彰), said the DPP lawmaker and Wang would hold a joint press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday in order to clear up questions about his first marriage.

DPP caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) was optimistic yesterday that the party wouldn't be losing a vote in the legislature.

"I believe Cheng will definitely come back to Taiwan, and we don't have any plans dealing with the possible loss of a seat," Ker said. "We think that ending this drama is the most crucial issue at this moment."

Cheng's affair came into the spotlight earlier this month after his wife, Lu Pei-yin (呂佩茵), attempted to assert her "first-wife" status by volunteering to serve constituents at his legislative office.

Cheng's relatives have accused Wang of using witchcraft and magic to seduce him.

According to the Law Governing the Exercise of Power by the Legislative Yuan (立法院職權行使法), Cheng is entitled to register for his legislative seat whenever he returns to Taiwan, despite the fact that lawmakers are scheduled to register for the next session on Sept. 2 and Sept. 3.

Cheng is also entitled to receive his salary and allowance for his assistants -- totalling NT$610,000 per month -- regardless of whether he returns to the legislature or not.

Under law, legislators may only lose their seats if they are voted out of office, die, resign, convicted of a criminal offense, impeached or assume positions within the Cabinet or become a mayor or county commissioner.

But what Cheng plans to do with regard to his legislative seat is anyone's guess.

A divorce document signed by Cheng that was presented to the media by his lawyer on Friday said: "I have decided to seek a divorce and am willing to give my monthly salary [as a legislator] to the other party."

Another statement from Cheng said he would temporarily "give up his involvement as a member of the DPP caucus."

Cheng and Wang have registered their marriage in the US, even though Cheng has yet to divorce his wife and bigamy is illegal in Taiwan. The couple departed for the US on Thursday to avoid the media spotlight.

Lu is scheduled to hold a press conference at the legislature today.