Former Zamboanga del Norte Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. being interviewed by journalists in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 20, 2012) – More local politicians, who joined the group of former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr., are expected to bolt out following the decision of Councilman Melchor Sadain to leave the ex-lawmaker’s Zamboanguenos for the Transformation of Zamboanga.
ZTZ is a group that Jalosjos has formed to help him in his political ambition in Zamboanga City
Sadain, whose political party is PDP-Laban, bolted out from the camp of Jalosjos, leaving behind other political allies, among them former Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe and Councilman Rodolfo Bayot and former council member Kim Elago, among others.
Sadain did not say why he bolted out of ZTZ, but this came after another PDP-Laban member Councilman Cesar Jimenez, Jr. criticized his party mates – for joining the group of Jalosjos, who belong to another political party – during a news talk on Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo last week.
But ZTZ spokesman lawyer Giovanni Luistro downplayed Sadain’s departure from their group, and said they are negotiating with other personalities to fill up their official line up for the May elections.
“Councilor Jimenez was not in the party in the beginning while Councilor (Rommel) Agan (local PDP-Laban chairman) although was seen visible with us (in the past) did not give his commitment with ZTZ. We wish Councilor Mel Sadain well. ZTZ is still negotiating with other personalities until our official line up before October,” Luistro said.
Agan, who also spoke on the Mindanao Examiner Tele-Radyo on Thursday, said he would run under the PDP-Laban, and is set to speak to Jimenez and Sadain about their political plans.
Sadain was first offered by Jalosjos to run for Congress. While Agan, although has not decided yet on whether to run for Congress or seek reelection, said he would decide in October, the deadline for the filing of candidacy paper for those who are seeking elective opposition. Agan, the son of former Zamboanga City Mayor Vitaliano Agan, is a member of the opposition.
Jimenez has thrown his support to Liberal Party Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Salazar, who is running for mayor. Salazar has not formed her own line up for the 2013 polls, but she is perceived by locals to be the best bet to replace Celso Lobregat, now on his third and last term.
Salazar, who belongs to the political party of President Benigno Aquino, is likely to run against Zamboanga City Congressman Erico Fabian, also now on his last term. Both Fabian and Salazar are allies of Lobregat, but the mayor has chosen to support Salazar.
Salazar has sought to disqualify Jalosjos, a convicted child rapist, who registered as local voter, saying the former lawmaker is not qualified to vote in Zamboanga. (Cynthia Jimenez)
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