I was wrongly convicted, says Jalosjos

Convicted child-rapist and Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos virtually accused President Fidel Ramos and his allies of persecution and blamed his conviction and the consequent upholding by the Supreme Court of the lower court’s ruling, on politics.

"I was falsely accused, wrongly convicted. I was used just to show that they could catch big fish. I was used as their trophy," Jalosjos told the media in yesterday afternoon’s press conference at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

Jalosjos said he was used by "people who are obsessed with being re-elected as president" and by others with political ambition, singling out Vice President Teofisto Guingona and lawyer Katrina Legarda, who was the victim’s lawyer.

"At that time, Guingona harbored ambitions to run for Vice President while Legarda wanted to run for Senator. They all wanted to bask in the glory."

Jalosjos recalled that when he was arrested in 1996 and brought to Malacañang, Ramos’ then Cabinet Cluster E that included Guingona, discussed his case for over five hours, which Jalosjos claimed was suspicious.

He added that Gen. Jose Calimlim, then chief of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) who arrested him in Bagac, Bataan, was initially "friendly" with him, then turned cold after the supposed meeting.

Jalosjos further insinuated that the girl, now 16, who admitted to being a sex worker when the crime happened, is deliberately being kept away from the media and even from her own mother by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Moreover, Jalosjos described the SC’s treatment of his case as "unusual," especially with its speed in coming up with a resolution and final decision. He revealed that several lawyers have allegedly offered to help him fix his case at the SC. Out of curiosity, Jalosjos said, he inquired how much the "going rate" was.

"I was told that P10 million would go to the ponente, while the rest would receive P5 million," he said.

Jalosjos added that he found it suspicious why the SC immediately made a ruling en banc without the case first being heard by a division, which, he claimed was the normal procedure.

Nevertheless, Jalosjos said he still accepts the SC’s final decision on his motion for reconsideration of his 1997 conviction of rape.

While he seemed so certain with all his accusation, Jalosjos backtracked as well, always saying he "could not confirm the reports."

Jalosjos also assailed Speaker Jose de Venecia and House majority floor leader Rep. Neptali Gonzales, Jr. for announcing that his name would be tricken off the chamber’s rolls.

"They are treading on dangerous grounds," he warned.

Jalosjos insisted that he could only be expelled from the House if voted so by two-thirds of the House members, as stated in the Constitution.