JUSTICE Secretary Agnes Devanadera on Monday said that convicted Zamboanga del Norte Representative Romeo Jalosjos is not likely to obtain absolute pardon by December 1, the deadline for filing of certificate of candidacy for local elective posts, due to time constraints in processing the application.

Aside from time constraints, Devanadera said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has sole authority to issue pardons, has other considerations that may hamper the grant of such relief to Jalosjos, a political ally.

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“I don’t think the President is inclined (to grant the pardon). It’s not just looking at the provisions of the law, there are so many pang issues. There has to be sensitivity to these issues, and the President is being sensitive on these matters,” she said.

Asked how long the processing of papers might take, the DOJ chief said that it would depend on how many have applied.

“We have so many applicants at this time. We are going through Christmas and many have applied since August. Many are eligible at mahaba na ang pila, so I seriously doubt if he would be included,” she said.

Devanadera said aside from considering Jalosjos’s behavior during and after his incarceration, and his advanced age, the President will also have to take into account the way the masses would perceive this grant of pardon.

She said it would be her office that will make a final review of the application reportedly filed by Jalosjos with the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) last September 30 in his bid to again run for public office.

Once the application for pardon has been approved by the DOJ, it would be forwarded to Malacanang for final signature of the President.

Jalosjos was convicted in 1997 by the Makati regional trial court for two counts of statutory rape of an 11-year-old minor girl in Makati City.

He walked a free man last March after former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez approved his release order from the National Bilibid Prisons, saying he was able to accumulate good behavior credit points enough for President Arroyo to commute his sentence of reclusion perpetua to 16 years, three months, and three days on June 13, 2007.

The commutation of Jalosjos’s sentence was based on the recommendation of the BPP in recognition of the several good deeds he has done while in detention, which includes demonstrating good behavior and helping improve the NBP’s facilities.

Jalosjos then recently applied for absolute pardon so that all his civil rights, including the right to vote and be voted upon, will be restored. He wished to be able to represent the province again in Congress in the May 2010 elections. (JCV/Sunnex)