Court junks Jalosjos plea

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – The local court has rejected the petition of former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos to overrule the decision of the election registration board (ERB) disqualifying him as a voter of this city.

In a 16-page decision, Municipal Trial Court Branch 1 Judge Nancy Bantayanon-Cuaresma said Jalosjos’ petition lacked merit.

The court ruling was the third setback for Jalosjos to reinstate his right to register as voter here and qualify to run for mayor when the ERB disqualified him last Aug. 31 and subsequently denied his appeal a week later.

Jalosjos spent 13 years in jail after his conviction for statutory rape. He was released in 2007.