Special election slated in Jalosjos district

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is holding a special election in the first district of Zamboanga del Norte on Aug. 26 to fill up the vacancy left by Rep. Romeo Jalosjos who is serving a life sentence for raping a minor in 1996.

This, after the House of Representatives formally dropped Jalosjos from the roster of its members and asked the Comelec to hold the special election.

Despite his rape conviction, Jalosjos was elected to a third and final term in 2001.

Jalosjos was found guilty by the Makati Regional Trial Court of two counts of statutory rape and sentenced to two life terms, apart from six counts of acts of lasciviousness and their corresponding penalties.

The Supreme Court upheld Jalosjos’ conviction last November.— Sandy Araneta