MANILA – It is highly unlikely for a convicted rapist and former Mindanao lawmaker to get an absolute pardon from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to enable him to run in the May 2010 elections, a senior Malacanang official disclosed.
Secretary Agnes Devanadera of the Department of Justice explained there was practically no time left for the government, through Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to review the application filed by former congressman Romeo Jalosjos of Zamboanga del Norte province in Mindanao.
“I don’t think the President is inclined to grant absolute pardon to Mr. Jalosjos,” Devanadera stressed.. “It’s not just looking at the provisions of the law, it is also being sensitive to issues.”
The justice secretary pointed out the sentiments of the public constitute a major factor when it comes to application for absolute pardon, unlike commutation of sentence of a convict where only the rules are strictly observed.
On the Jalosjos application, Devanadera cited the negative response and denunciatons from various sectors to the release from jail of the convicted rapist on March 18.
At the same time, Devanadera added she also believes the processing of the application of Jalosjos will take more than a month.
Jalosjos is seeking absolute pardon from Malacanang before the December 1 deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for those running for local positions in next year’s polls to file their certificates of candidacy.
His family said Jalosjos wants to join the elections in 2010 to regain his seat in the House of Representatives which he lost in 2002 when the Supreme Court affirmed his conviction for two counts of child rape and at least six counts of acts of lasciviousness.
He was meted out two life sentences on top of the order for Jalosjos to pay a total equivalent to $16,000 in civil indemnity and exemplary damages to his 11-year-old victim.
On March 18 this year, President Arroyo granted Jalosjos, a close political ally, conditional pardon which was met by widespread protests, upon the recommendation of the BPP for his “good deeds” and “exemplary behavior” while serving his two life sentences imposed by the court at the national penitentiary in suburban Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.
Under the law, a convict granted absolute pardon by the President regains his human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including the right the vote and the right to run for an elective office.
However, Devanadera said: “I seriously doubt if he (Jalosjos) would get an absolute pardon by December 1. This process involves so many evaluations and his application would have to fall in line. Right now, we have so many applicants.”
She also pointed out it would be the justice department that would make the final recommendation to the President on whether or not to approve the application of Jalosjos which was filed in Malacanang on September 30.
But if allowed to run in the 2010 elections, political observers have admitted that Jalosjos would have a “walk in the park” regarding his plan to regain his seat as congressman.
Observers explained that Jalosjos belongs to one of the richest and most influential political families in Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga del Norte where they have a stranglehold on major elective positions.
Observers pointed out that even while his case was being heard by the Regional Trial Court in suburban Makati City, Metro Manila he was reelected congressman in the 1998 and 2001 polls.
He was only ousted from the House when the High Court affirmed in 2002 his conviction for two counts of child rape for which he was sentenced to two life terms in jail.
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hi,,
im wenna de jesus,,,i would like to follow our petition for parol of my father,,who is detained in davao penal colony,,his name is ulyssis de jesus,,we submit all the documents already,,he finished the interview ,,,his sentence is 8-14yrs,,homicide murder,,he served 8yrs already,,,we ask for help in behalf of my family,,to follow our petition for his parol,,hopefully makalaya na po xa this year,,before election,,he is a good provider to our family,,we missed his sooo much,,,madam president im begging you,,please,,,help us,,,my email adres is gwen20_tracy@yahoo.com,,im his daughter,thanx and more power,,,
we arewaiting for the aproval of the president for our pettion for parol of our father ulyssis,,,nasa hongkong po ako ngaun,,,habang wala po ang aking ama,,,ako ang tumataguyod sa aking pamilya,,kaya lang po,,nahirapan na po ako,,lalo na sa at masama ang pakikitungo ng insik kong amo s akin,,pangalawang amo kna po ito,,naterminate po ako sa unang amo,,,nagmamakaawa po ako,,,sana mabasapo ang comments ko na ito,,,at mtulungan po ako n mafollow up po ang parol ng aking ama,,madami na po kasi kaming nagstos sa pagpapdala ng sulat kung saan saan,,para ifollow up ang petition for parol ng aking ama,,,but until now,,wala paqrin po kaming balita,,nagkakasakit na po aking ama sa loob ng kulangan,,,sana po,,,mabigyan nio po ng pansin ang liham ko na ito,,,ito po ang email ad ko,gwen20_tracy@yahoo.com.sana matulungan nio po ako,,maraming salamat po,wenna