Lakas-CMD headed for split in Ecija’s 3rd district

CABANATUAN CITY — The Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in Nueva Ecija appears headed for a split as the party’s provincial chairman, Rep. Aurelio Umali, who is eyeing the governorship, has decided to field his wife as a candidate in the third congressional district against a close relative of President Arroyo.

Umali admitted to The STAR that his wife Cherry will run for Congress against former three-term third district congressman Pacifico Fajardo in the May 2007 midterm elections.

Fajardo is a close relative of the President, who is the ninang (godmother) of his youngest daughter, former Palayan mayor Relly Fajardo.

The younger Fajardo, who studied abroad, is now one of the deputies of Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Michael Defensor.

Umali, who counts on controversial former Manila congressman Mark Jimenez as his political godfather, said he wants his scholarship program in the third district to be sustained, thus prompting him to field his wife.

He said he has made at least P20 million in scholarship grants available to his constituents annually.

"Sayang naman kung mahihinto kaya itutuloy na lang ni misis (It would be a waste if it is discontinued so my wife would continue it)," he said.

Umali used to assert that he was not inclined to build a political dynasty in the province after rumors swirled that his younger brother, Anthony, was thinking of running for mayor in their hometown of Sta. Rosa.

He said he would not hesitate to abandon his post if his younger brother would insist on seeking the mayorship.

Umali is still eligible for one last term as congressman but he decided to forego his chance in what he described as a "make-or-break" attempt to end the long-entrenched Joson political dynasty in the Capitol.

He will be pitted in the gubernatorial race against Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson, provincial chairman of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) and younger brother of three-term Gov. Tomas Joson III.

Mrs. Umali’s entry in the congressional derby in the vote-rich third district has made the contest a three-cornered fight. The third candidate is Cabanatuan City councilor Voltaire Chua, son of influential businessman Antonio Chua, a close friend and political patron of the governor.

The district encompasses this city, Nueva Ecija’s commercial and educational center, the capital of Palayan City, Umali’s hometown of Sta. Rosa, and the municipalities of Bongabon, Laur and Gabaldon.

Fajardo, a former administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority and who a director of the San Miguel Corp., won as congressman in 1995, 1998 and 2001.

In 2001, he ran for governor but lost to the incumbent. He fielded his wife, Leonora, a former three-term Palayan mayor, but she and Tomas III’s son, now senior board member Edward Thomas, both lost to Umali.

Leonora, like her husband, is also on the comeback trail in Palayan where the Fajardos once reigned supreme.

The entry of Mrs. Umali is expected to create problems for the Lakas-CMD in the third district since the elder Fajardo is still considered the district chairman.

If the problem goes unresolved, the party may be forced to declare the district a "free zone," meaning party leaders are free to choose who between Mrs. Umali and the younger Fajardo they would support.