Influential Roman Catholic bishops in the Philippines yesterday hit out at President Gloria Arroyo for shortening the jail time of a convicted child rapist, allegedly for political considerations.The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) commission on prison pastoral care said commuting Romeo Jalosjos' two life terms to only 16 years showed government was biased in favour of political allies.
Jalosjos, 66 and a former House of Representatives member, was convicted in 1996 for raping an 11-year-old girl. He was sentenced to two life terms and has so far served 10 years in jail.
The conviction was hailed by human rights advocates in this majority Catholic country where powerful political clans often skirt the law.
Rodolfo Diamante, the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care executive director, said in a statement there were more deserving inmates than Jalosjos and the commutation of his sentence was a "big blow" to the justice system.
"Obviously it's political because how come Jalosjos was given that privilege and (Arroyo) denied others who are more deserving," Diamante said.
"It shows that as long as you have the power and influence you're given privilege and the justice system ... is as always tilted in favour of the rich and powerful," he added.
The presidential palace has defended the move, saying that Jalosjos has displayed good behaviour while serving his time. It said he was only among 10 inmates whose sentences were reduced and that no special treatment was accorded him.
Reports earlier said Arroyo's move came shortly after Jalosjos' mother personally appealed for his early release.
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