Yt Framework

Says let Jalosjos run, it’s the people who will decide not the Comelec

Not all local members of the Liberal Party (LP) in Zamboanga City have favored the petitition by District I Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Beng Climaco-Salazar against former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos, describing the move as ‘’unhealthy”.

Congressional aspirant Samuel “Sam” Enesando, a former council president Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party Zamboanga City chapter, said Congresswoman Climaco should not pursue with the petition against former Zamboanga del Norte congressman.

Salazar, chairperson of LP’s Zamboanga City Chapter, and Jomar Lobregat, head of the Adelante Zamboanga Party, filed a separate petition asking the Comelec to restrain Jalosjos from registering as a voter on the basis of the latter’s conviction for rape and acts of lasciviousness.

Enesando said: “That is not the issue in the election. So let democracy works and let the people decide...anyway, it’s the people’s choice as to whether they will select Beng, Nonong Jalosjos and other candidates like Congressman Erbie Fabian for mayor.”

The congressional aspirant of district 2 also urged Salazar to diassociate herself from the controversy because she does not belong to Adelante Zamboanga and the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), whose leader in Zamboanga City is Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Besides, Enesando continued what the move of congresswoman of district 2 against Jalosjos is not sanction by the ruling administration party and that never the LP, especially its leaders, advised her to file petition to disqualify Jalosjos from seeking post.

“Filing a case, petition against her (Salazar) rival in politics maybe is not the way to do. Let the guy (Jalosjos) run and let the people decide as to whether he is qualified or not. It is the people who will decide, not the Comelec,” he stressed.

Enesando, accompanied by some supporters wearing yellow T-shirts with markings “the Filipino is worth dying for” and images of the late Senator Ninoy Aquino and President Cory Aquino, trooped to the Comelec district office yesterday morning to follow up the identification cards of registered voters under district 2.

“I’m here in Comelec district 2 registrar office to request,” Enesando said referring to the IDs. “Why until now they have not released the IDs, it is already long overdue?” he asked.

When asked about why he wore a yellow T-shirt, Enesando replied: “This is a celebration in honor of the 29th anniversary of Senator Ninoy Aquino’s martyrdom day, August 21, 1983, and I’m wearing this signature T-shirt to send a message that I belong to the party (LP) of President Noynoy Aquino.”

Enesando shifted his party affiliation from PDP Laban to the ruling LP last May. In 2007 and 2010, he unsuccessfully ran as an independent under Lakas and PDP-Laban candidate in the congressional race, respectively.

His oath-taking as new member of LP last May 6, 2012 during a convention in Bacolod, Western Visayas was witnessed by President Benigno Aquino III and Secretary Mar Roxas, the party’s president.

By Hader Glang