Umali-Joson showdown seen in 2010 Ecija gubernatorial race

CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines  – A battle royale between embattled Gov. Aurelio Umali and first district Rep. Eduardo Nonato (Edno) Joson is shaping up in the 2010 gubernatorial elections in Nueva Ecija.

STAR sources hinted that a head-on collision between Umali and Joson, a former governor and assemblyman, is looming in the province as Joson is emerging as the top choice among leaders of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija. Also being considered are Edno’s nephew, Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson and his father, former four-time governor Tomas Joson III.

The Josons are eyeing to dislodge Umali who won by landslide over then-vice governor Mariano Cristino Joson in the 2007 polls, ending the clan’s 48-year grip of the Capitol.

Edno, a former National Food Authority administrator, is undefeated like Umali. He claimed that Umali’s victory in 2007 was “tsamba” and a fluke.

Political experts consider the 2010 polls as an acid test for Umali, a lawyer, whose two-year-old administration has been dogged with allegations of graft and corruption, nepotism and perceived irregularities. His critics claimed he is much worse than the Josons, governance-wise and has surrounded himself with alleged undesirables.

The governor is also being accused of abandoning his staunch allies and supporters, including those from Batch ’77 of the Philippine Military Academy whose support helped propel him to victory in 2007.  

Edward Thomas has lodged no less than eight graft suits against the Umalis before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The governor, according to observers, has distanced himself from the masses, and is one who is “madaling lapitan, mahirap hanapin” (easy to approach but hard to find).

The Josons, whose debacle in the 2007 polls was worsened by the reported in-fighting among them, have maintained that they are now united and ready to topple Umali from his post.

Vice Gov. Joson said that while his uncle is the leading choice to challenge Umali, anyone of them would make a strong bet for governor, given Umali’s performance as provincial chief executive.

He said the people of Nueva Ecija would measure Umali’s performance based on that of the Josons.

Tomas III, who was governor in 1992, 1998, 2001 and 2004, said he is willing to give way for Edno. “Anyway, I have long served as governor. I can be his campaign manager,” he said.

Some local officials identified with Umali’s Lakas-CMD have welcomed Edno’s bid and said they are willing to cross party lines to support the congressman.