Nueva Ecija’s biggest political dynasties join forces

CABANATUAN CITY — If you can’t beat them, join them.

This might as well be the guiding principle of the two biggest political dynasties in Nueva Ecija which have joined forces apparently in preparation for the May 2001 elections.

The Josons, easily the biggest and most durable political dynasty in the province over the last 40 years, have united with the Villareals and Lorenzos, the kingpins of the fourth congressional district and considered the second biggest dynasty, in what is believed a strategic move of the ruling coalition Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) in the local polls.

The union between the two clans was forged when Gov. Tomas Joson III, provincial chairman of LAMP and its local coalition, Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (LAMP-Balane), declared incumbent Rep. Julita Lorenzo-Villareal as its candidate in the fourth congressional district before LAMP-Balane mayors at the provincial capitol last week.

Villareal, who chairs the House committee on games and amusement, said she was elated by Joson’s decision to support her. In return, she vowed to give her all-out support for the Josons in her home turf.

The joining of forces between the Josons and Lorenzos-Villareals has shored up the strength of the Estrada administration in the face of an expected stiff challenge from the opposition in the coming elections.

It also prevented a possible collision course between Joson’s son, Richard, and Villareal’s sister-in-law, San Isidro Mayor Sonia Lorenzo, wife of former Rep. Victorio "Turing" Lorenzo. Sonia took her oath as LAMP-Balane member last Dec. 27.

Powerful clan

Tomas Joson III is the head of the province’s most powerful political dynasty which has ruled since the post-war period, starting in 1947 when the late Joson patriarch, Eduardo Sr., served as mayor of Quezon town. Eduardo Sr. later became provincial governor in 1959, a position he held for six successive terms until his death in 1989, a reign briefly interrupted by the EDSA Revolution.

Aside from him and Tomas III, several Josons served in public office. They are Vice Gov. Eduardo Joson IV, first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson and her husband, Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino, former governor and National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Eduardo Nonato II and the late former Cabanatuan Vice Mayor Eduardo III.

Bopet Dizon, a son-in-law of Eduardo Nonato II who resigned as NFA administrator at the height of the jueteng scandal, sits as mayor of Guimba town.

Another Joson, Edward Thomas, eldest son of the incumbent governor, is running for Congress in the third congressional district.

The late San Isidro Mayor Maximino Lorenzo, patriarch of the Lorenzo-Villareal clan, reigned as local executive for 21 years and retired undefeated. When the late former President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, he was replaced by his nephew, Enrico Lorenzo, son of national artist Diosdado Lorenzo. The Lorenzo patriarch died at the age of 76.

Aside from him, his daughter Julita and Enrico, those who were elected into office were another son, Victorio or "Turing" who won as congressman in the same district in 1992; his wife, San Isidro Mayor Sonia Lorenzo who won in the 1998 mayoral elections despite campaigning for only three days, and Julita’s youngest son, Chris, who was elected board member.

Estranged

The Lorenzos and Villareals used to be estranged. When Julita first ran for Congress in 1987, Victorio campaigned for her. But he decided to run himself in 1992 and won over Villareal and Rep. Nicanor de Guzman Jr.

The siblings squared off anew in 1995 with Villareal winning this time. Victorio later reconciled with his estranged sister, paving the way for the formation of a formidable political force in the district. In the 1998 polls, the Lorenzos vigorously supported Villareal, enabling the latter to win her re-election bid by landslide.

Before their union, the Josons and the Lorenzos-Villareals were considered political foes. While the two Villareals – Julita and Chris – are with the Nationalist People’s Coalition which is under the LAMP coalition, they are not exactly in good terms with the governor over the issue of turf.

In the past, the Josons have constantly fielded opponents against the Lorenzos and the Villareals.

Reports said the governor had, in the past, even tried to persuade several politicians to run against the congresswoman, among them De Guzman, former Cabiao Mayor Ireneo Manahan and Ricky de Guzman, son of presidential brother-in-law Raul de Guzman. But he was reportedly advised by President Estrada to just endorse the congresswoman.

In the case of the Lorenzos and the Villareals, there were reports in the past that someone from their clan, either Victorio or Julita, would challenge Joson for the governorship. Both Turing and Julita denied the reports.

The Lorenzos Sonia and Victorio both used to belong to the opposition Lakas-NUCD. While Victorio maintained that he is still with the Lakas-NUCD, he said he has gone on leave.

The congresswoman has long been wooed by the Lakas-NUCD. Political pundits concede that with her joining forces with the Josons, the opposition is hard-pressed in the district.