Jalosjos makes new Congress bid

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Will convicted rapist Rep. Romeo Jalosjos make it again despite being behind bars? Or will it be the end of his political career?

This, as the Commission on Elections’ regional office confirmed that Jalosjos has filed his certificate of candidacy for his "re-election" in the first congressional district of Zamboanga del Norte.

In the 1998 elections, Jolosjos ran for Congress and won despite being unable to campaign as he began serving his life sentence for statutory rape at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

Jalosjos, who is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, is pitted against James Adasa of the Lakas-NUCD-UMDP (United Muslim-Christian Democratic Party).

Political observers believe that Adasa will win the congressional race because of Jalosjos’ predicament.

Meanwhile, in the second district, it will be a three-cornered showdown among incumbent Rep. Roseller Barinaga (NPC), Edgar Baguio (Lakas) and Evelyn Uy (independent), while in the third district, incumbent Rep. Angel Carloto and Wilfredo Balais of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino are slugging it out.

Gunning for the Zamboanga del Norte gubernatorial post are incumbent Gov. Isagani Amatong and Concordio Adriatico, who both belong to Lakas-NUCD-UMDP.

In Zamboanga del Sur, incumbent Gov. Romeo Vera Cruz (Lakas) will be challenged by Aurora Cerilles, wife of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonio Cerilles who, for his part, is running for congressman in the second district, against Filomena San Juan. The Cerilleses are running under the NPC.

The Comelec regional office said the gubernatorial post of the newly created province of Zamboanga Sibugay will be contested by Rep. George Hofer and Alfredo Chu. Hofer’s wife, Dulce Ann Hofer, meanwhile, is vying for Congress, against former Rep. Belma Cabilao and Gabriel Cainglet.

In Zamboanga City, Rep. Celso Lobregat is running for re-election, with councilor Luis Climaco as opponent. Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, on the other hand, will be opposed by business tycoon Lepeng Wee.