Villareal to challenge Joson in 2004 Ecija gov race

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija — Former two-term fourth district Rep. Julita Lorenzo-Villareal declared yesterday her intention to run for governor against incumbent Gov. Tomas Joson III in the 2004 elections.

Villareal, daughter of the late San Isidro mayor Maximino Lorenzo, said she is running for governor to duplicate in the provincial level what she had done in the fourth congressional district.

"What I am offering is change. Novo Ecijanos want change so I hope I can deliver for them," said Villareal, wife of incumbent fourth district Rep. Raoul Villareal.

She said she would run as an independent.

The Villareals are the second biggest political dynasty in the province, next to the Josons. The third biggest, the Fajardos, virtually disintegrated following the defeats of former three-term Rep. Pacifico Fajardo and former three-term Palayan mayor Leonora Fajardo in the 2001 polls.

Villareal is the first to publicly announce her bid for the governorship. Earlier, it was reported that two others were emerging as possible candidates for governor — National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco and third district Rep. Aurelio Umali, who are both with the Lakas-NUCD.

But Wycoco has denied that he was eyeing the gubernatorial post, while Umali has kept mum on his political plans.

Villareal was long rumored to be eyeing the governorship. Last Jan. 27, however, her husband referred to her as the "next governor of Nueva Ecija" before an amused audience during the installation of Luzviminda Pelayo as head of the Gapan City division office of the Department of Education.

Villareal is trying to solidify her base among the youths and women. She said her camp has already distributed no less than 200,000 calendars and 2,000 diaries all over the province.

She said she was heartened by the warm response of Novo Ecijanos when she recently made the rounds of various towns, particularly Quezon and Guimba, both known Joson bailiwicks.

"You will be surprised, the reception was so nice and the people were presenting themselves. They really want change," she said.

She warned Joson against underestimating her, saying she believes her chances are good, especially among provincial folk clamoring for reforms.