CONVICTED rapist and former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos leaves jail today following the Justice Department?s order releasing him Tuesday.

?He has already completed 16 years of his [life] sentence,? Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said yesterday.

?His release is now up to Bureau of Corrections Director Oscar Calderon. In fact, he should have been released already last December.?

A Makati court sentenced Jalosjos to two life terms in 1997, but President Arroyo commuted it to 16 years, three months and three days on June 13 of the same year. He actually served less than 16 years because of good behavior.

Jalosjos, now 69, was convicted on two counts of statutory rape and six counts of acts of lasciviousness. He was also ordered to pay P400,000 in civil indemnity and P400,000 in moral damages. Rey E. Requejo