Supreme Court upholds 2010 win of Zamboanga Sibugay governor

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the election in 2010 of Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Romel Apolinario Jalosjos.

In a seven-page ruling released last Wednesday, the SC nullified the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifying Jalosjos in the gubernatorial race over residency and citizenship issues based on a complaint filed by barangay chairman Dan Erasmo from Ipil town.

The SC ruled that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion in disqualifying the governor.

“Jalosjos won and was proclaimed winner in the 2010 gubernatorial race for Zamboanga Sibugay. The court will respect the decision of the people of that province and resolve all doubts regarding his qualification in his favor to breathe life to their manifest will,” stated the ruling penned by Associate Justice Roberto Abad.

Records show that Jalosjos was born in Quezon City in 1973. In 1981, he acquired Australian citizenship.  

But in 2008, at age 35, he returned to the country, took his allegiance to the Philippine government, and renounced his Australian citizenship.