Tight race for Nueva Ecija governorship eyed in 2007

CABANATUAN CITY — Barely three weeks after the May 10 elections, political analysts in Nueva Ecija are already looking forward to the gubernatorial race in the 2007 elections.

With re-elected Gov. Tomas Joson III now in his last term, three prominent politicians are expected to slug it out in a mad scramble for the governorship. They are Josons’ younger brother, Vice Governor-elect Mariano Cristino Joson, re-elected third district Rep. Aurelio Umali and former two-term congresswoman Julita Lorenzo-Villareal.

Mariano Cristino, outgoing mayor of the Josons’ hometown of Quezon, is also certain to vie for the governorship to keep the clan’s hold of the provincial capitol.

He won the second highest provincial post by beating Villareal’s running mate, Noeme Manlapas by landslide.

But political observers are convinced that the younger Joson would have his hands full with Umali and Villareal as opponents.

Umali, who rose to prominence in 2001 when he beat Tomas III’s son, Edward Thomas, in the congressional race, is being viewed as the man to watch in 2007 because of his strong performance in the past two polls.

Umali admitted that he was thinking of running for governor last month but decided against it when Tomas III decided to support President Arroyo’s bid for a full six-year term as part of the tactical alliance between the Lakas-CMD where he is provincial chairman and the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).

In fact, Umali had already tapped Joseph Violago, son of second district Rep. Eleuterio Violago, as his running mate when the alliance was forged.

A STAR source said that with Tomas III prohibited from seeking another term in 2007 due to the three-term limit, the way has been cleared for Umali to vie for the governorship.

"Mas magiging magaan ang laban kung hindi si Governor Joson ang kalaban sa 2007 (The fight would be easier if the opponent in 2007 is not Governor Joson)," the source confided.

Umali, a lawyer, is banking on extensive connections, a boy-next-door image, political savvy, a well-oiled political machinery and a possible endorsement from the politically powerful Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

The talk going around since 2001 is that the INC appreciated Umali’s role in securing the approval of the sect’s application to operate Net 25 when the congressman was still deputy commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Mariano Cristino, on the other hand, has long been considered Tomas III’s heir apparent. Among the Joson brothers, they are considered the closest, having experienced being incarcerated together for three years in Camp Crame for involvement in the April 22, 1995 murder of the governor’s bitter rival, Cabanatuan Mayor Honorato Perez.

Meanwhile, Villareal, considered the heart and soul of the once proud and mighty Villareal dynasty in the fourth congressional district, was heard saying over radio that she would make a comeback in 2007. "Tatlong taon lang naman ang hihintayin natin (We would only wait for three years)," she said.