Jalosjos’ sister grabs big lead in special poll

DAPITAN CITY — A sister of former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, who is serving two life terms for raping a minor, led by a wide margin over her three rivals in yesterday’s special election in the first congressional district of Zamboanga del Norte.

The winner in the special poll will take the House seat which Jalosjos vacated after the Supreme Court recently upheld his conviction by the Makati City Regional Trial Court.

Cecilia Jalosjos Carreon, mayor of Piñan town, got 64,000 votes, leading over her rivals Artemio Adaza Jr., who had 8,404 votes; Orlando Salatandre, 6,232; and Elias Pamatong, 918.

The figures represented total votes cast in the towns of Polanco, Mutia, Rizal, Sibutad, Piñan, La Libertad and Sergio Osmeña.

Election officer Rogel Bengua described the special poll as "calm, orderly and peaceful" with no reports of any untoward incidents.

"Although we don’t have any official estimate, the turnout of voters was low based on our observation," he said.

According to a teacher at San Nicolas Elementary School here, voters "came in trickles and the exercise only took a few minutes since there was only one name to write on the ballot."

However, Salatandre, lawyer of detained cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., questioned "Jalosjos" votes counted in Carreon’s favor. He vowed to file an electoral protest.

But lawyer Jojo Redillas, Carreon’s spokesman, said the Piñan mayor included her maiden surname (Jalosjos) in her certificate of candidacy.

Besides, it would be futile for Salatandre to question Carreon’s overwhelming victory, Redillas said.