I’ve been reading up on the Romeo Jalosos case and after investigating the facts, I can’t help but feel disgusted and repulsed at how this administration has abused their power and spat at the face of justice and morality. I can’t imagine how it must have felt for the victim and her family to see someone who abused and brutalized her set free. The trauma must be unimaginable.
Based on what I found out, Jalosjos was convicted of statutory rape and was sentenced in 1997 to two life terms and an additional eight to fifteen years for each of the six counts of acts of lasciviousness that he did against an 11 year-old girl in 1996.
In June 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commuted the term of Jalosjos to 16 years, three months, and three days. Jalosjos was initially released December 16, 2007. However, Arroyo recounted the order and Jalosjos was ordered to return to jail. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales then announced that Jalosjos should be released April 2009 and not December 16, 2007.
Despite that order from the Department of Justice, Jalosjos went against it and flew on a private plane to Dapitan in December 2007. Fortunately, he was arrested the following morning and was brought to jail.
Eventually, someone convicted of molesting an 11-year old girl was released (sometime March) and now roams free. He even wants to run for public office.
It’s cases like this which give courage to criminals to keep on doing what they’re doing. It sends out the wrong message. Acts like this show that we have a weak justice system, and that good lawyers and connections can get someone out of trouble easily.
I was really sad after finding out the facts behind this case. Hopefully the next president won’t be as lenient to criminals as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was. What use are our laws if they’re not being implemented properly?
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I’m just pissed in general with how the current government is dealing with issues.
Too bad I can’t complain–I didn’t get to register.
Carlo,
I echo your last statement, “Hopefully the next president won’t be as lenient to criminals as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was. What use are our laws if they’re not being implemented properly?”
The next president should be strong-willed to prevent this from happening again. Sad part Jalosjos remains unrepentant.
I linked this post on an article I posted on my blogsite. Thank you.
http://thelivingrice.blogspot.com/2009/11/romeo-jalosjos-fantasyland.html