Former Gov. Edno Joson (left) and Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson (right)
CABANATUAN CITY – A former Nueva Ecija governor from the influential Joson clan vowed to unseat his younger brother from the mayoralty of their hometown as they support opposing provincial political groups.
Former Gov. Eduardo Nonato Joson who also served as representative to the Batasang Pambansa and the House of Representatives of Nueva Ecija’s first congressional district, said the fight for mayoralty post in their hometown of Quezon against his younger brother incumbent Mariano Cristino Joson could be “destiny.”
“Siguro, nakaguhit siguro ‘yan,” Joson said when asked why two Joson siblings need to contest the same post.
The elder Joson, called Dikong (second eldest) by his younger siblings, supports the candidacy for governor of Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas while the incumbent mayor has been identified with incumbent Gov. Aurelio Umali.
Their nephew, former Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson who is the eldest son of their eldest brother, the late Gov. Thomas Joson III, is seeking the said post under Cuevas and against Umali’s brother, reelectionist Vice Gov. Anthony Umali.
“May kanya-kanya kaming paninindigan e. Meron yung tamang paninindigan, meron din yung maling paninindigan,” Edno said, adding that he would file his certificate of candidacy on Oct. 6 under Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane), the party that was established by their patriarch, the late Gov. Eduardo “Tatang” Joson.
He expressed hope that their nephew can productively work to advance health and employment, among others, with Cuevas who has filed her COC on Oct. 1.
Umali has yet to file a COC for his expected reelection bid as of Monday morning.
Meanwhile, Umali’s wife, former Gov. Czarina Umali seeks a comeback as representative of Nueva Ecija’s third congressional district as she filed her COC on Oct. 1 to slug it out against incumbent Rep. Ria Vergara.
Vergara has yet to file a COC but said in an earlier interview that she will seek reelection for a third term.
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan has also filed COC for Ecija’s first congressional district against Mika Suansing, daughter of three-termer Rep. Estrellita Suansing.
Gapan City Mayor Emerson Pascual challenges incumbent Rep. Maricel Nagaño in the fourth district.
