PCSO chief's Ecija gubernatorial plan draws varied reactions

CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines  – Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Director Jose Taruc V’s planned gubernatorial bid in the May 2010 elections has drawn varied reactions from old political allies and foes, with the camp of his estranged ally, incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali expressing doubts he was serious in his bid while the Josons welcomed the plan, saying it would benefit them in the end.

Umali, who tapped Taruc as his running mate in 2007, has reportedly expressed doubts if Taruc, his 2007 running mate, would actually make an announcement on his 32nd birthday today as promised and subsequently file his certificate of candidacy on Nov. 30.

“I respect him but I don’t think he is serious in running for governor,” a source close to Umali quoted the governor as saying.

The STAR source said Umali even went to the extent of saying it was only this reporter who was egging Taruc to run, referring to a series of published newspaper reports.

The Josons, Umali’s political rivals, have welcomed Taruc’s bid, saying this would work to their ultimate advantage because it would reflect on Umali and split votes in his camp.

Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson said that if Taruc runs, it would ruin Umali’s reelection bid.

“I think it would be to our favor because if he runs, votes intended for Umali would be divided,” he said, adding Taruc would eat up a sizeable number of votes from the governor.

Comebacking former three-term Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson, the declared standard-bearer for governor of the Josons’ Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija, said Taruc’s much-ballyhooed Capitol run would be a “blessing” in disguise.

“If he pursues his bid, that means only one thing: The Tarucs love us so much,” she said with a laugh, hinting it would make it easier for the Josons to reclaim the Capitol.

A close ally of both Umali and Taruc, who did not want to be identified, said that the PCSO director’s bid would take its toll on the governor more than Manuel-Joson since some of those who would vote for him are the same people who voted for Umali not because they liked him but because they disliked the Josons.                            – Manny Galvez