SC rules with finality in favor of Jalosjos' governor-son

The Supreme Court has junked, “with finality”, a Commission on Elections order disqualifying the son of convicted child rapist Romeo Jalosjos from seeking the governorship of Zamboanga Sibugay in the May 2010 elections.

 

In an en banc ruling, the high court denied the two motions for reconsideration filed by complainant Dan Erasmo Sr. against Gov. Rommel Apolinario Jalosjos. The motions sought the reversal of the court's earlier ruling junking the May 4, 2010 Comelec order.

 

“The basic issues raised have been passed upon by this court... No substantial arguments were presented to warrant reversal of the court’s decision,” the high court said.

 

In its original ruling, the high court said the poll body committed grave abuse of discretion when it twice disqualified Gov. Rommel Apolinario Jalosjos from seeking a seat in the province.

 

The high court thus set aside the resolution of the Comelec Second Division dated February 11, 2010 and the resolution of the Comelec en banc dated May 4, 2010.

 

This latest ruling affirmed the younger Jalosjos is qualified to run for the governorship.

 

The Comelec disqualification stemmed from Erasmo questioning Jalosjos' nationality.

 

Erasmo claimed that Jalosjos failed to comply with the necessary requirements to re-acquire Filipino citizenship when he did not execute a personal and sworn renunciation of his Australian citizenship. 

 

Erasmo further said that Jalosjos was not qualified to run in Zamboanga Sibugay because he failed to comply with the residency requirement under the law.

  

In its ruling, the SC said a candidate does not necessarily need to have a house in a specific area to establish his residence or domicile. — DVM, GMA News