Joson clan’s charm loses luster in N. Ecija politics

BY LIAM ANACLETO

CABANATUAN CITY – The much touted Joson charm has lost its luster as the reluctant heir apparent of incumbent Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Cesar ”Jay” Vergara dealt the knockout blow on his rival, incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas N. Joson III, in the mayoralty contest in this city.

In the gubernatorial race, Joson’s younger brother, incumbent Vice Gov. Mariano Joson, suffered a similar fate, losing to his rival, Rep. Aurelio Umali.
As of May 15, Umali garnered 49,184 votes, while Joson got 22,184.

Partial unofficial results obtained from the office of the city mayor’s “Operation Quick Count” at 12:17 p.m. on May 15 showed 68 percent or 583 of the 868 precincts in the city had been tabulated. There are 169,00 registered voters in the city.

As this developed, reporters covering the election said the Namfrel and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting were not able to conduct immediately their Operation Quick Count.

Unofficial election results showed Alvin Vergara garnered 36,329 votes, while Joson got 28,450 votes or a difference of 7,879 votes.

Umali’s wife, Czarina Umali, tallied 30,720 votes, while her closest rival, Voltaire Chua, got 21,940 votes.

In the city’s vice mayoralty contest, Marius “jolly” Abesamis Garcia had 30,517 votes; Ramon “Suka” Garcia, 25,765; and Col. Reynaldo Garcia, 11,354.

In the vice-gubernatorial race, broadcast journalist Jose Taruc received 34,500 votes, while Edward Thomas Joson, the governor’s eldest son, had 34,297 votes.

The alliance of the Umalis and the Vergaras under the Lakas-CMD banner was believed responsible for the toppling of the Josons who, for the past five decades, have lorded it over under the banner of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).

The Josons had aligned with the administration party, Kabalikat ng Malakanyang Pilipino-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.

Elsewhere in the province, comebacking former governor Eduardo Nonato Joson was leading in the congressional race in the first district over former two-term congressman and presidential assistant Renato Diaz.

In the second district, outgoing three-term Rep. Eleuterio Violago’s son, Joseph, was leading against former two-term congressman, Simeon Garcia Jr.

In the fourth district, re-electionist Rep. Rodolfo Antonino led over Gay Padiernos and former two-term congresswoman Julita Villareal.

On the municipal level, the candidates leading their rivals in their areas were Abundia Garcia (Cabiao), reelectionist Mayor Sonia Lorenzo (San Isidro), Arvin Salonga (San Antonio), Froilan Nagano (San Leonardo), Otep Angeles (Sta. Rosa), and Beth Gamilla (Bongabon).

Meanwhile, Comelec provi9ncial election supervisor Emmanuel Ignacio urged NAMFREL to proceed with its own canvass of the votes cast and to finish it as soon.

“We have to proceed with and finish the canvassing as soon as possible to take the heat off from us,” he said.