Palparan considers joining 2016 senatorial race

Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan (Photo from www.indybay.com)

MANILA – Former Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, who has been detained while standing trial for serious illegal detention of two University of the Philippines (UP) students and three army officers, expressed interest in running for senator in next year’s national elections.

Palparan then petitioned Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) to allow him to leave his office and validate his voter’s registration. He asserted that he remained eligible to seek public post as he has not been convicted for any crime.

Bulacan RTC Judge Alexander Tamayo then ordered government prosecutors to comment on Palparan’s plea within five days.

The retired army general, who has been regarded as “The Butcher,” has been accused in the enforced disappearance of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, along with the army officers in 2006.

Cadapan and Empeno’s mothers feared that Palparan may run for senator so that he may be acquitted if he wins, saying that he ‘tried to evade the law for three years.’ The mothers, however, doubted that the retired army general would win.