Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Nalzaro: Jalosjos’ fate By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
CONVICTED congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos is my provincemate.
We both come from Zamboanga del Norte, the country’s poorest province based on the 2006 National Economic Development Authority poverty incidence survey. Jalosjos, though, is from Dapitan City, while I am from Dipolog City. He represented the province in the old Batasan Pambansa and was elected congressman of the first district after the Edsa revolution. Prior to his election in the House of Representatives, he ran as governor but lost.
He was and still is well-loved by our “kababayans,” especially his constituents in Dapitan City despite his present predicament.
When he was convicted of statutory rape and was sentenced to double life imprisonment in the mid-90s, many predicted that it would be the end of his colorful political career. But they were wrong. Despite his incarceration at the National Bilibid Prisons, Jalosjos managed to retain his political clout and influence in the province. He even won, while detained at the Makati City Jail pending trial of his case.
His sister Celia Jalosjos Carreon succeeded him. Cesar, his brother, is now in his second term as representative of the province’s third district. Another brother and his lookalike, Dominador, is the mayor of Dapitan City. Bullet, his son with actress Lorna Pal, is a Provincial Board member.
All the mayors in the first district, including Gov. Rolando Yebes, are political allies of Jalosjos. I was told that in the next election, they plan to conquer the second district held by Rep. Rosendo “Dodoy” Labadlabad, a non-ally. If that happens and if their bet wins, the province will be practically under the political control of the Jalosjos family. A political dynasty already exists in our province.
Jalosjos, however, turned the province’s voters into political prostitutes.
There was already a history of vote-buying in the province before he entered politics but the magnitude then was not as massive compared to what it is today. Do you know what the vote-buying rate was in the past elections? Hold your breath! P1,500 per voter.
The convicted congressman still owns majority share of the famous Dakak resort located in Dapitan and the number one blocktime noontime show, Eat Bulaga, on GMA 7. He was also accused of committing political violence happened in his district.
Jalosjos’ much talked about release from prison was aborted. A reliable source close to the former congressman told this columnist that President Arroyo had signed his pardon and release order last month yet. In fact, prior to that date of his aborted release, he was already staying in a subdivision near the penitentiary. He even held a baptismal party for his youngest daughter, which was attended by some prominent political figures.
But because perhaps of public pressure and political implications, the President suddenly changed her decision and cancelled his release. But I think he will be out in due time. In the meantime, he will just have to spend a few more years in prison.
