ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 26, 2012) – The influential former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos on Thursday announced his intention run for mayor in Zamboanga City in next year’s midterm polls.
Jalosjos, whose roots are from Zamboanga City, made the announcement after filing his voter’s registration. He vowed to bring back the “glorious past” of the old Zamboanga known for its Hispanic influence.
His supporters and local politicians who gathered at a news conference cheered Jalosjos, 71, who arrived with his mother, Angelina, and brother Dominador Jalosjos, who is also running for governor in Zamboanga del Sur province.
“I am here not to take Zamboanga, but to bring peace and progress that Zamboanguenos are longing for. I am here because the people wanted me to serve them. And I will serve the people with all my heart for the sake of Zamboanga and I promise peace and progress,” he said.
He also outlined a 26-point development program for Zamboanga under his so-called “Zamboanguenos for the Transformation of Zamboanga.”
“Zamboanga is in a state of interregnum. It is not moving forward. Instead, many of its characteristics are moving backward. Peace and order is honoured in the breach – crimes galore litter the days of the city,” he said.
Jalosjos – who is largely credited for Dapitan City’s transformation into one of the most peaceful and beautiful tourist destination in Mindanao – also cited the traffic situation in Zamboanga and called it “chaotic,” including the peace and order situation where he said that “violence, not violins, makes up its daily music and killings have replaced the city’s once glorious flowers.”
He said the unstable power supply is also affecting not only the residents, but the business sector as well. “We need all the kind of energy resources for Zamboanga and this situation where everybody suffers cannot go on like this,” he said.
“Tourism destinations refuse to increase or grow. Real estate taxes increase by leaps and bounds. The City’s cash assets sleep in the banks instead of being invested in and utilized as fuel for development,” he added.
Councilman Cesar Jimenez, who is being groomed to run as Jalosjos’ vice mayor, said Zamboanga has over P2 billion in Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and local taxes, and some P3 billion in the banks, but the development and progress remain slow.
IRA is the annual share of the local government out of the proceeds from national internal revenue taxes. It is largely based on land area and population.
“People are clamouring for change in Zamboanga and we will bring about new hope for the people of Zamboanga. It is about time for change,” Jimenez said.
Jalosjos is likely to run against either of the two Zamboanga City lawmakers – Erico Fabian, now on his third and last term; and Maria Isabelle Climaco, who is on her second term.
Jalosjos said he has chosen Mercy Arquiza, a council member in Dapitan City whose roots are also from Zamboanga City, as his congressional bet.
Fabian and Climaco are both political allies of Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, who is now on his third and last term, but is reportedly eyeing to run as vice mayor of Fabian or Climaco.
Lobregat’s brother, Jomar, is also gunning for a congressional seat to replace Fabian. (Mindanao Examiner)
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