Jalosjos running for mayor

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – Convicted former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos yesterday tested his civil rights after 13 years of imprisonment by filing a certificate of candidacy (COC) for the mayoralty post in this port city.

Jalosjos and former priest Crisanto de la Cruz will run under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

De la Cruz is eyeing the 1st district congressional seat and is expected to slug it out with incumbent Mayor Celso Lobregat.

The two aspirants beat the deadline on the last day of filing of COCs at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office together with their supporters. However, the candidacy of Jalosjos remained in limbo as the election registration board (ERB) earlier granted the petition to reject his voter’s registration application.

House Deputy Speaker and 1st district Rep. Maria Isabel Climaco-Salazar and congressional aspirant Jomar Lobregat filed a petition against the candidacy of Jalosjos on the grounds that a person who has been convicted for one year or more can only vote after five years.

Jalosjos was convicted of statutory rape in 1996 and released after serving a commuted term in 2009.

His lawyers have contested the ERB decision before the local court.

“I suppose we have reasons to celebrate. I have achieved the first step. We recognize that there are still several steps to take after the COC filing, but at least we have achieved the first step to be a candidate,” Jalosjos said.

If he is allowed to run, Jalosjos will face administration Liberal Party (LP) stalwart Climaco-Salazar and 2nd district Rep. Erico Fabian.

A Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart, Fabian is considered an underdog and will be carrying the local banner of Pwersa Zamboanga.

“We are considered as the underdog pitted against the giants, but I am a very practical person and I know where I stand. I don’t have much of the resources but I’m running because I want to give Zamboangueos a choice,” he said.

Lobregat, who will be serving his last term, will run for Congress in the 1st district while his brother, Jomar, will run for the 2nd district under the local administration party.