ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines – Former Zamboanga del Norte representative Romeo Jalosjos Sr. promised that his sister, Governor Rosalina Jalosjos, would rid the city government of family business monopolies as he publicly threw his support behind her as she capped her mayoral campaign in Dipolog City two days before election day.
The kingmaker of the Jalosjos political dynasty faced reporters on Saturday, May 10, with a vow that not one family, including his own, would monopolize small or big businesses coming from the local government if his sister succeeds in her bid.
He further pledged that his family, up to the “5th degree of consanguinity,” would not establish businesses that would compete with any existing business in Dipolog.
“Walay mu-allow na mudupa sa mga kaayuhan, mga oportunidad, na madawat ninyo. Dili parehas karon nadup-an ang tanang business, ang tanang opportunities, sa usa lang ka pamilya,” he said.
(No one will be allowed to take advantage of the benefits, the opportunities, that you will receive. It is not the same as now that all the businesses, all the opportunities, are concentrated in just one family.)
Dynamics: Jalosjos vs. Uy
The controversial former congressman also showed a three-page document containing his sister’s commitments, vowing to focus on improving Dipolog’s infrastructure, economic development, and public welfare if she gets elected.
The 78-year old candidate is running against former governor Roberto Uy. The Uys, like the Jalosjoses, are a political dynasty entrenched in the province for 27 years. In 2022, Uy lost to Rosalina in the gubernatorial race.
Despite being barred from public office as a result of his 1997 statutory rape conviction, Romeo Sr. remains a prominent figure in Zamboanga del Norte politics.
He continues to wield influence through his business ventures, with other family members also active in politics. His son, Dapitan Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos, is running for Zamboanga del Norte governor against Uy’s son, Dipolog Mayor Darel Dexter Uy.
Infra and economy
The elder Jalosjos, who chairs the Aggrupation of Parties for Prosperity (APP), highlighted plans to expand the Dipolog City Airport and install night landing facilities to accommodate more domestic flights.
“Mucommit ta na i-lengthen o ipataas nato ang airport. Og puwede, ang mga dagko na eroplano makalanding para mabarato ang atong mga biyahe gikan sa Manila padung sa Dipolog,” he said.
(We are committed to extending or upgrading the airport. If possible, large aircraft will be able to land so that our flights from Manila to Dipolog will be cheaper.)
He also announced plans for a social housing project in Barangay Galas through national housing agencies and proposed converting the Dipolog Quezon Bridge into an “iconic architectural design gateway” to ease traffic congestion.
“Ang city muy muggamit sa national, muawhag sa national na himuon kini sa city. Silay maninguha nga mukuha sa national funds or ipa-approve ang plano na maimprove ang [bridge],” he said.
(The city government will tap the national government, encourage it to implement the project in the city. They will work to secure national funds or get approval for the plan to improve the bridge.)
Jalosjos also proposed transforming the Dapitan-Dipolog-Sicayab fishpond area into an economic zone to attract foreign investors.
“Kana makahatag, bisan gagmay ang kita, sigurado na makahatag ta og trabaho (That can provide, even if the income is small, it will surely create jobs). To ensure that we create more jobs for the poor, buhatan nato og (we will make an) economic zone,” he said.
He added that Dipolog could become a highly urbanized city if businesses stay active and employment improves.
On tourism, he called for cooperation with neighboring towns to administer Aliguay and Selinog islands. – Rappler.com
Kean Bagaipo is a Mass Communication student at Silliman University in Dumaguete City and the news editor of The Weekly Sillimanian. He is from Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte and also an Aries Rufo Journalism candidate from April-May 2025.