3-term Ecija lawmaker to challenge Umali in 2010

QUEZON, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – After months of guessing on who among the Josons would challenge incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, the once-invincible but still politically powerful clan named over the weekend a former three-term congresswoman as standard-bearer of its Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija party in the 2010 gubernatorial elections.

Former Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson was unanimously declared Balane’s bet for governor against Umali, her former colleague in the House of Representatives, during a meeting of the party’s Provincial Council on Saturday in this hometown of the Josons attended by party stalwarts in the various towns and cities of the province.

Manuel-Joson, son of former Gapan City Mayor Basilio Manuel, is the wife of former vice governor Mariano Cristino who lost to Umali in the 2007 elections.

Fourth district Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, the party’s district chairman in southern Nueva Ecija, moved to divide the Council to determine if there were objections to Manuel-Joson’s endorsement but found none.

Lawyer Chito Lahom, a staunch supporter of the Josons, said the response to Manuel-Joson’s endorsement was “so overwhelming.” 

Manuel-Joson said she was heartened by her selection as gubernatorial bet of Balane, particularly the support of its “four pillars,” referring to her husband Mariano Cristino and her brothers-in-law, incumbent first district Rep. Eduardo Nonato, former four-term governor Tomas Joson III and former vice governor Eduardo IV.

The meeting was also highlighted by the return of the chairmanship of Balane from Eduardo Nonato to its chairman emeritus, Tomas III. 

Manuel-Joson’s endorsement ended months of speculations on who would be the party’s official bet.

Earlier, there were reports that the choice has been narrowed down to three: Vice Gov. Edward Thomas, Eduardo Nonato and the vice governor’s father, Tomas III. Prior to Manuel-Joson’s selection, party insiders said it was Eduardo Nonato, raising hopes of a highly anticipated showdown with the incumbent.

The fielding of Manuel-Joson is a payback for Mariano Cristino whose loss to Umali in 2007 ended their 48-year hold on the Capitol. She is the first woman gubernatorial bet to be fielded by the Josons.