Wycoco being wooed to run for Ecija congressman

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija — Top officials of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) are wooing National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Reynaldo Wycoco to become its congressional bet in the fourth congressional district of this province.

Wycoco admitted that Lakas-CMD officials have offered to make him the administration’s standard-bearer in the fourth district which is currently ruled by the Villareals, the second most powerful political clan in the province (the other is the Josons).

"Actually, they offered me to be their bet. But I am weighing my options right now," he said.

Wycoco hails from this town, the same hometown of prominent personalities like extradited Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis.

The Wycocos are a huge clan in the province with some of them successfully entering local politics, among them former Cabanatuan City councilor Eric Wycoco and incumbent Cabiao councilor Jumar Wycoco, brother of the NBI director.

Rep. Raoul Villareal is the incumbent congressman in the fourth district, a post he "inherited" from his wife, former two-term Rep. Julita Lorenzo-Villareal.

Villareal is seeking re-election, while his wife has declared that she is running for governor. The couple’s son, provincial board member Chris Villareal, is eyeing the mayorship of their hometown, San Isidro. Another son, Jojo, is eyeing Chris’ seat.

The Lakas-CMD still has no known opponent for Villareal whose rival is businessman Rodolfo Antonino, who lost in his previous attempt at a Congress seat against former Rep. Nicanor de Guzman Jr.

Antonino is supported by Gov. Tomas Joson III and officials of his Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).

Recently, Wycoco appeared in a TV "infomercial" with International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao, raising speculations that he might run for an elective post.

Another alternative reportedly being readied for Wycoco is to run for the Senate.

Earlier, Wycoco was offered to be the provincial coordinator of the Lakas-CMD, but he refused, citing his directorship of the NBI.

Undersecretary Renato Diaz, presidential assistant for North Luzon and Lakas-CMD co-chairman in Central Luzon, said Wycoco, given his stature, is qualified to run for the Senate, Congress or even as governor of Nueva Ecija.

"It’s his call," said Diaz, a former House majority leader, adding that he will soon sit down with the NBI director to find out if he is interested.

"Director Wycoco is very much qualified. He’s a good speaker," he added.

If Wycoco decides to throw his hat in the political arena in the province, political observers said he might get the support of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) of which he is a member.