Mark Jontongco Laguerta, 29, is accused of causing the death of unemployed Bernard Montemayor Alojado, 27, in the 16th-floor flat at Block 16 Jalan Tenteram between midnight and 8.41am that day.

The Philippines Embassy appointed Mr Shashi Nathan from Harry Elias Partnership to act for Laguerta.

Laguerta and his wife, together with Alojado and his wife, were sharing the five-room flat with a woman. All the women are nurses.

Police said officers found the victim lying face down on his bed on Saturday morning wearing a pair of shorts. He had injuries to his upper body.

They said the accused and the victim lived in the same flat.

Laguerta works in a shop at Changi airport, according to Neil Imperial, first secretary at the Philippine embassy in Singapore.

The victim was staying in Singapore on a tourist visa while looking for work, the diplomat told AFP.

On Monday, Mr Nathan, who had a brief word with Laguerta after he was charged, told reporters outside the courtroom that his client was concerned how long he would be remanded and appeared very frightened.

He and lawyer Adrian Wee were not allowed to delve into the case as investigations are still ongoing.

Laguerta was remanded at Central police division for investigation until his next apperance on Feb 11.