ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 1, 2012) – The Regional Trial Court has junked the appeal of former congressman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. to be included in the permanent list of voters in Zamboanga City where is running for mayor in the 2012 synchronized local and national polls.
Judge Reynerio Estacio, in his decision on Wednesday, affirmed the earlier verdict of the Municipal Trial Court which disqualified Jalosjos, who was convicted of statutory rape, from running in Zamboanga.
Municipal Trial Court Judge Nancy Cuaresma, in a 16-page resolution, said Jalosjos cannot exercise the right of suffrage or the right to vote because he is disqualified.
“Jalosjos is not qualified to and cannot vote or be voted upon in any national or local elections until his perpetual absolute disqualification s are expressly remitted and restored by pardon,” the judge said.
The aging political kingpin, who was convicted in 1997 for raping an 11-year old girl, was able to register with the Commission on Elections in Zamboanga City, but this was opposed by Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Salazar on the grounds that the former politician is disqualified to register as a new voter here because of his conviction.
Jalosjos, who was convicted with two counts of statutory rape and six counts of acts of lasciviousness, insisted his right to suffrage, adding he had served his sentence.
Zamboanga City Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Salazar, who is also running for the mayoralty post, sought Jalosjos’ disqualification, saying the politician was sentenced to suffer “reclusion perpetua” and “reclusion temporal” for each count of his crimes, and is not qualified to run.
She said the penalty for reclusion perpetua shall be from 20 years, while reclusion temporal is from 12 years. And Salazar said Jalosjos was granted a mere commutation of sentence by then President Gloria Arroyo in 2007 which resulted in the reduction of his original sentence.
Official records with the Bureau of Corrections also show that Jalosjos was discharged from the National Bilibid Prison only on March 18, 2009, less than the 5-year period prescribed under the Voter’s Registration Act, according to Salazar.
The Election Registration Board also ruled in favor of Salazar, a member of President Benigno Aquino’s Liberal Party.
“God guide us. RTC ruled in our favor,” Salazar told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
She said they received the decision of the Regional Trial Court late Wednesday thru their legal counsels.
“May I, once again, reiterate that this had been an advocacy for a just and honest pursuit of the laws of this country with its sanctity being kept intact. Being part of legislation, I have seen the importance of these laws and following them judiciously is what is expected of all of us. We continuously pray that all this will come to a peaceful resolution and shall ensure a public service that has the foundations of honesty, sincerity and integrity,” Salazar said.
Jalosjos’ camp said they will appeal the decision of the court.
The decision also coincided with the ruling of the Supreme Court disqualifying Jalosjos’ younger brother Dominador – who is running for governor in Zamboanga del Sur province – because of his past criminal conviction.
The younger Jalosjos, a former mayor in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte, and three others were convicted in 1970 for robbery. (Mindanao Examiner)
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