Jalosjos bats for Zambo City mayoralty post

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - After 13 years behind bars, convicted former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos filed Friday his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the mayoralty post in this port city.

This comes as the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) fielded the ex-convict and an ex-priest as their standard bearer here.

Jalosjos led local UNA party with congressional aspirant former priest Crisanto dela Cruz on the last day of filing for COC at the Commission on Election (Comelec) office amid the throng of supporters backed up with community band.

But the candidacy of Jalosjos remained fragile and in question 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 the petition, citing that a person who has been convicted for one year or more can only vote after five years.

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

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

“First, it was a mixed emotion that I was able to file my COC because they could really block us… Their propagandas, they really won’t allow me to file. So this ends it all. I suppose we have reasons to celebrate I achieved the first step,” Jalosjos said.

After submitting his COC to Comelec district officer Joseph Ian Tria, Jalosjos said they recognized there are still several steps to take after the COC filing. “But at least we have achieved the first step to be a candidate.”

With the filing of Jalosjos, there will be a three-cornered fight in the mayoralty race in this city as he will face administration’s Liberal Party (LP) stalwart Climaco-Salazar.

Salazar filed her COC for mayoralty post while Mayor Celso Lobregat, serving his last term, will run for the 1st district congressional post. His brother, Jomar, is running for the 2nd district under the local administration party, leaving 2nd district Rep. Erico Fabian out of the group’s political alliance.

A Nationalista Party (NP) stalwart bringing the local banner of Puwersa Zamboanga, Fabian, considered as underdog, filed his COC for the mayoralty post earlier Friday.

“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 Zamboangueños a choice,” Fabian said.

For his part, Jalosjos said he had anticipated strong opposition and he is ready to take issues, even those considered below the belt from his detractors.

“We are convinced majority wants us to run,” Jalosjos said.