CABANATUAN CITY – Typhoon “Juan” which wrought havoc in many parts of Northern Luzon has its other face in Nueva Ecija – it gave way for the cordial talk between two “warring politicians” and led to the discovery of a theft in government facilities.
“The meeting was far better than civil, it was friendly,” said lawyer Tomas Lahom III, a counsel of the Josons who witnessed the unplanned meeting between Gov. Aurelio Umali of Unang Sigaw Para sa Pagbabago-Lakas-CMD and former Vice Gov. and incumbent Quezon town Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson of Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).
Umali and Joson slugged it out for the gubernatorial post in 2007 where the former turned victor. Last May elections, Umali fielded former military officer Tomas Hizon against Joson.
Sources said the accidental meeting happened when Umali went to Barangay Uno, Quezon to personally supervise the rescue and relief operations for residents of barangay Pulong Bahay at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. He met in the area Lahom’s wife, Quezon Vice Mayor Ma. Lourdes Lahom who was leading the same operation.
After a while, according to Lahom, Umali invited Lahom to go with him at the Quezon Central School where some 70 families were evacuated. To everybody’s surprise, Joson was there overseeing the operation.
Lahom said Umali ang Joson readily offered their hands and exchanged pleasantries. “They were seen laughing,” Lahom said. Joson also ordered distribution of some relief goods brought by Umali for the typhoon victims through the municipal social welfare and development office (MSWDO).
At the height of Typhoon Ondoy last year, Umali lamented the alleged refusal of some local officials, including in Quezon town, to distribute goods from the provincial government.
“I’m sure there was no politics here but it is definitely refreshing,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old resident of Barangay Bicilat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija is now facing robbery charges after allegedly carting away various equipment at the government’s grain drying facility in the village. It happened on Sept. 11 but was uncovered only on Monday when farmers approached facility caretaker Rodelio Llabres to have their harvests dried as heavy rains pour due to Typhoon Juan.
Police Officer 3 Antonio Olando, officer -on-case, said Llabres reported to the police at 10:30 a.m. on Monday that the facility’s electric metal transformer and safety switch, among others, were missing.
An investigation led to the arrest of suspect Rudy Gabriel, a resident of the said place.
Olando said charges of robbery have been filed against Gabriel before the Nueva Ecija provincial prosecutor’s office.
“The meeting was far better than civil, it was friendly,” said lawyer Tomas Lahom III, a counsel of the Josons who witnessed the unplanned meeting between Gov. Aurelio Umali of Unang Sigaw Para sa Pagbabago-Lakas-CMD and former Vice Gov. and incumbent Quezon town Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson of Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).
Umali and Joson slugged it out for the gubernatorial post in 2007 where the former turned victor. Last May elections, Umali fielded former military officer Tomas Hizon against Joson.
Sources said the accidental meeting happened when Umali went to Barangay Uno, Quezon to personally supervise the rescue and relief operations for residents of barangay Pulong Bahay at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. He met in the area Lahom’s wife, Quezon Vice Mayor Ma. Lourdes Lahom who was leading the same operation.
After a while, according to Lahom, Umali invited Lahom to go with him at the Quezon Central School where some 70 families were evacuated. To everybody’s surprise, Joson was there overseeing the operation.
Lahom said Umali ang Joson readily offered their hands and exchanged pleasantries. “They were seen laughing,” Lahom said. Joson also ordered distribution of some relief goods brought by Umali for the typhoon victims through the municipal social welfare and development office (MSWDO).
At the height of Typhoon Ondoy last year, Umali lamented the alleged refusal of some local officials, including in Quezon town, to distribute goods from the provincial government.
“I’m sure there was no politics here but it is definitely refreshing,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old resident of Barangay Bicilat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija is now facing robbery charges after allegedly carting away various equipment at the government’s grain drying facility in the village. It happened on Sept. 11 but was uncovered only on Monday when farmers approached facility caretaker Rodelio Llabres to have their harvests dried as heavy rains pour due to Typhoon Juan.
Police Officer 3 Antonio Olando, officer -on-case, said Llabres reported to the police at 10:30 a.m. on Monday that the facility’s electric metal transformer and safety switch, among others, were missing.
An investigation led to the arrest of suspect Rudy Gabriel, a resident of the said place.
Olando said charges of robbery have been filed against Gabriel before the Nueva Ecija provincial prosecutor’s office.
