Political Figures
* Romeo Jalosjos
Romeo Jalosjos is the first public servant in the Philippines to be convicted of two counts of statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness six times. At the time of the controversy, he was presently the congressman representing the First District of Zamboanga City, Philippines. The 11-year old girl he raped was allegedly sold to him by her own stepfather. Therefore, Jalosjos maintained he did not rape the girl because she was a paid prostitute in the first place. But Philippine laws regulate that having sex with a minor below the age of twelve is a crime of rape. He first went into hiding, avoiding the media hype the scandal caused. Everyday, TV stations and leading newspapers speculated on his whereabouts, until his capture. Then the trial began. The Department of Social Welfare and Development was the agency which pursued and defended the case of the girl. Some say Romeo Jalosjos’ trial was highly influenced and biased by the media. But others contend the little girl had nothing to get but everything to lose upon her declarations. And the court finally determined that Romeo Jalosjos’ stature in society was not enough to give him protection or clout over any crime he could have commited. Thus, the conviction of two life sentences was given to him. But President Gloria Arroyo moved to modify his sentence to up to sixteen years, which created a huge uproar, with the people crying foul on the seeming abuse of the clemency power the President has.
On January of 2008, the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court junked his habeas corpus petition, prompting the Justice Secretary to order his return to the New Bilibid Prison. The motions and pleas by the accused continue up to this day, and it still remains to be seen whether President Arroyo will give him full pardon.
* Ruben Ecleo Jr.
Ruben Ecleo Jr. is believed to be the ultimate master of Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), a pseudo-Chirstian cult founded by his father; it is estimated that at present, its membership has reached one million. He was on the spotlight when his wife’s dead body was found dumped at a bottom of a cliff, and he evaded arrest by staying in his hometown Dinagat Island in Surigao Province. Furthermore, in a possible attempt to cover-up the crime, his wife’s family was gunned down by a confirmed active member of the PBMA in their own household in Mandaue City. Police killed the gunman because he reportedly evaded by firing openly when they attempted to chase him. On the night while serving Ruben Ecleo’s warrant of arrest, sixteen of his followers died because they tried to barricade and opened fire to the arresting team of SWAT and policemen. The ensuing gunfire also coasted a SWAT member’s life and left two wounded policemen. At 9 a.m. the following morning, he finally surrendered. He is now in detention at the BBRC in Cebu City, where his parricide case is also ongoing. Six judges have inhibited because of certain dangerous circumstances surrounding the case. He was also sentenced to thirty years in prison by the Sandiganbayan in October 2006 by three counts of graft. We hope that in this controversial murder case of Ruben Ecleo, true justice will prevail and will not be marred by any intimidation by the accused party.