Huge Welcome Awaits Filipino Solon's Return

DAPITAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 07, 2009) – Residents of this beautiful coastal city in Mindanao are jubilant over reports that Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos may be released soon from prison.

Jalosjos, a known philanthropist in the Philippines, has been in jail the past 16 years after being convicted with raping an eleven-year old girl. His supporters maintained that Jalosjos was innocent and that he had been framed up and that the charges against him were politically motivated.

A court sentenced the politician to serve life in prison, but was granted executive clemency by President Gloria Arroyo in 2007. In prison, Jalosjos showed good conduct and is looked upon by inmates as a model because of his kindness to others and his being generous.

The Bureau of Corrections has already recommended the release of Jalosjos from the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

It was the second time that prison officials recommended his release. In December 2007, Jalosjos was freed, but the order was taken back after his political opponents and women’s rights activists opposed and questioned the order.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said he has received a letter from the prison officials about their recommendation. Friends and relatives were said to be preparing for Jalosjos’ return to Dapitan City in the province.

"We are waiting for the return of our Manong Romy. We love him so much," said Saturnino Co, a local supporter of Jalosjos. (Mindanao Examiner)

Ex-Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Brought Back To Manila Prison

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 04, 2007) – A former lawmaker convicted of raping an 11-year old girl was flown to Manila on Friday, a day after a local court denied a petition by his lawyers for a writ of habeas corpus.

Former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos, clad in a jacket and wearing a cap, was escorted by policemen here and boarded a private plane at around 4 p.m. He would be brought back to the national penitentiary.

Jalosjos, convicted to serve two life terms for raping an 11-year girl, was originally granted executive clemency by President Gloria Arroyo after serving 13 years in prison. But the pardon was recalled after Arroyo’s decision drew wild protests from human rights advocates and women’s groups.

Police arrested Jalosjos last month after he walked out of prison in Manila and flew by plane to his hometown in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Jalosjos was first released on Dec. 16 from the national penitentiary, but he was forced to return the next day after the Philippine media reported about his release.

On Thursday, Jalosjos’ lawyer in Zamboanga City, Alfredo Jimenez, said local Judge Jesus Carbon denied their petition for writ of habeas corpus.

Jalosjos insisted he is a free man and blamed politics for the recall of the presidential pardon. Jimenez said they will appeal the decision of the court. Jimenez said the court based its decision to alleged wrong computation of national penitentiary officials on Jalosjos' prison terms.

The writ of habeas is a legal procedure by which a court inquires into the lawfulness of a person's confinement. It takes the form of an order from a court or judge requiring the custodian to produce the prisoner in court for a judicial investigation into the validity of the detention. (Mindanao Examiner)

RP Court Junks Ex-Solon's Writ Of Habeas Petition

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 03, 2007) – A Filipino court has rejected Thursday a petition by convicted child rapist Romeo Jalosjos for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus.

Police arrested Jalosjos, a former Zamboanga del Norte congressman, who walked out of prison in Manila last month and flew by plane to his hometown in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Jalosjos, convicted to serve two life terms for raping an 11-year girl, was granted executive clemency by President Gloria Arroyo after serving 13 years in prison.

Arroyo's decision drew wild protests and human rights advocates and women's groups have criticized her for commuting Jalosjos' double-life sentence, saying, the politician should have not been freed from jail. And government jailed him again.

Jalosjos was first released on Dec. 16 from the national penitentiary and even attended a mass with family members. But he was forced to return the next day after the Philippine media reported about his release.

Judge Jesus Carbon junked a resolution denying Jalosjos' writ of habeas petition.
Jalosjos insisted he is a free man and blamed politics for the recall of the presidential pardon.

His lawyer, Alfredo Jimenez, said they will appeal the decision of the court. "We will file a motion for reconsideration. The decision of the court junking our petition for a writ of habeas corpus is not yet final," he told The Manila Times.

It was not immediately known whether Jalosjos is still in prison in Zamboanga City following the decision of the court.

Jimenez said they received reports that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales ordered Jalosjos to be brought back immediately to the national penitentiary.

"We don't know whether Congressman Jalosjos is still in Zamboanga or not, but we received reports that Justice Secretary Gonzales ordered that Congressman Jalosjos be brought back to the national penitentiary," he said, adding, his group will oppose any move to transfer the politician to Manila.

Jimenez said the court based its decision to alleged wrong computation of national penitentiary officials on Jalosjos' prison terms. "As far as we know, Congressman Jalosjos is a free man," he said.

The writ of habeas is a legal procedure by which a court inquires into the lawfulness of a person's confinement. It takes the form of an order from a court or judge requiring the custodian to produce the prisoner in court for a judicial investigation into the validity of the detention.

On Wednesday, hundreds of Jalosjos supporters gathered in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte and denounced the decision of the government to put back the politician in jail.

Jalosjos, according to Gonzales, may be granted pardon by 2010.Gonzales has previously ordered an investigation into how Jalosjos was able to walk out of prison. (Mindanao Examiner)

Police Arrest Ex-Lawmaker After Daring Prison Walkout

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 23, 2007) – Police rearrested a former Filipino lawmaker who walked out of prison in Manila and flew by plane to his hometown in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Former Representative Romeo Jalosjos, convicted to serve two life terms for raping an 11-year girl, was granted executive clemency by President Gloria Arroyo after serving 13 years in prison.

But Arroyo’s decision drew wild protests and human rights advocates and women’s groups have criticized her for commuting Jalosjos’ double-life sentence, saying, the politician should have not been freed from jail. And government now wanted him back in jail.

Jalosjos was first released on Dec. 16 from the national penitentiary in Manila and even attended a mass with family members. But he was forced to return the next day after the Philippine media reported about his release.

On Saturday, Jalosjos arrived in Dapitan City where hundreds of supporters welcomed him like a hero. They also threw a party for Jalosjos, once an influential politician politician in the province.

Policemen escorted Jalosjos on Sunday to Zamboanga City where he would probably stay at the San Ramon Penal Colony unbtil his case is finally resolved. Jalosjos insisted he is a free man and his supporters blamed politics for the fiasco.

“He is freed. He is a free man. Leave him alone. This is all politics,” said Juanito San Diego, a supporter of Jalosjos.

Jalosjos is said to be eyeing this early to run for Congress again in the 2010 national elections. But with this latest development, his political plan may be at risk.

It was unknown why was Jalosjos allowed to leave the penintentiary despite a strict order from the government to hold him.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales has also ordered an investigation into this. It is up to Gonzales whether to bring back Jalosjos to Manila or let him stay in Zamboanga City, just several hundred miles away from Zamboanga del Norte province. (Mindanao Examiner)

Ex-Zambo Solon, Nakabalik Na Sa Mindanao

MAYNILA, Pilipinas (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 22, 2007) – Napuno kagabi ng ligaya ang daan-daang mga supporters ni dating Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos matapos itong dumating mula sa halos 13 taong pagkakapiit sa kasong rape.

Lakas loob umanong lumabas ng New Bilibid Prison si Jalosjos at lumipad diumano patungong Dapitan City sakay ng eroplano matapos na sabihing siya’y isang laya na, bagamat iginigiit ng Malakanyang na hindi pa ito dapat makalaya.

Presidential pardon at release order naman ang ang tanging armas ni Jalosjos.

Nauna na itong lumabas sa Bilibid kamakailan ngunit napilitang bumalik dahil sa pakiusap ng mga nasa pamahalaan upang hindi mapahiya si Pangulong Gloria Arrroyo.

Umani kasi ng batikos sa Arroyo sa ginawa nitong pagpapalaya kay Jalosjos na napatunayang nagkasala matapos na makipagtalik sa isang 11-anyos na batang babae.

May release order si Jalosjos dated Dec. 16, 2007 mula sa NBP.

Gigil na gigil naman si Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales dahil sa iskandalong dinala ng umano’y leak sa media na palalayain na si Jalosjos at mula noon ay pinagbawalan na nito ang dating mambabatas na magbigay ng interview sa mga mamamahayag.

Hindi naman mabatid kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng muling paglabas ni Jalosjos sa NBP.

Sa ulat naman ng GMA-7 ay sinabi nitong mismong si Dapitan City Councilor Apple Agolong ang nagkumpirmang nakabalik na si Jalosjos at nasa City Hall ito na kung saan ay napuno ang paligid ng mga supporters.

Siguradong maraming masisibak sa NBP dahil sa paglaya ni Jalosjos at sa kahihiyang muling ibinigay nito sa Malakanyang. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Del Norte Awaits For Return Of Freed Ex-Solon

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 16, 2007) – Supporters of a freed former Philippine lawmaker were eager to see him return to his hometown in the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte where they prepare a huge party to welcome the politician.

Former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, convicted to serve two life terms for raping an 11-year girl, was granted executive clemency by President Gloria Arroyo after serving 13 years in prison.

Jalosjos walked out from the national penitentiary in Manila before dawn Sunday and even attended a mass with family members.

“We are really excited to see him back. We are preparing a big party for him and it’s like one big family reunion as friends and supporters await his return,” one of the politician’s supporters, Saturnino Santos, said.

Friends and relatives were said to be preparing for Jalosjos’ return to Dapitan City in the province where they put up streamers welcoming his return.

But it was unclear when Jalosjos would return, but this early many say he might run for Congress again in the 2010 national elections.

Human rights advocates and women’s groups have criticized Arroyo for commuting Jalosjos’ double-life sentence, saying, the politician should have not been freed from jail. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Norte, Sabik Sa Pagbabalik Ni Ex-Rep. Romeo Jalosjos

DIPOLOG CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 16, 2007) – Sabik na sabik na umano ang marami sa Zamboanga del Norte sa muling pagbabalik ni convicted child rapist at dating congressman Romeo Jalosjos matapos itong mapalaya mula sa New Bilibid Prison (NBP) sa Maynila.

Kahapon ng madaling-araw ay nagsimba pa si Jalosjos, kasama ang pamilya, sa kapilya ng NBP matapos na palayain dakong hating-gabi.

Binigyan ng pardon ni Pangulong Gloria Arroyo si Jalosjos, halos 13 taon matapos itong masentensyahan ng habang-buhay na pagkabilanggo sa paghahalay sa isang 11-anyos na diumano’y prostitute nuong 1996.

Ang pagpapalaya ni Arroyo kay Jalosjos ay umani ng malaking batikos mula sa ibat-ibang grupo ng mga kababaihan at kritiko ng dating pulitiko.

Inamin ni Jalosjos na malaki ang utang na loob nito kay Arroyo sa pagpapatawad sa kanya.

Nagdiwang naman ang mga supporters ni Jalosjos sa Zamboanga del Norte, partikular sa Dapitan City, na kung saan ay hinihintay ng marami ang pagbabalik nito sa lalawigan.

Hindi naman mabatid kung kailangan ang dating ni Jalosjos sa Dapitan City, ngunit nagkalat na ang mga banners at streamers ng suporta sa kanya sa ibat-ibang lugar doon.

Si Jalosjos ay nadakip mismo ni dating presidential security chief Hermogenes Esperon na ngayon ay hepe ng Armed Forces matapos ng matagal na pagtatago sa batas.

Kapuna-puna naman ang bilugang katawan ni Jalosjos ng ito’y lumaya at bakas sa kanyang kalusugan ang magandang trato sa piitan. (Mindanao Examiner)