Joson resignation didn’t shock Ecijanos

CABANATUAN CITY — When former Nueva Ecija governor Eduardo Nonato Joson II resigned as administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA) last Friday and, in effect, turned his back on President Estrada, many were surprised, particularly those who thought the Josons will forever be loyal to their benefactor.

After all, it was widely believed that it was Mr. Estrada’s political clout that paved the way for the acquittal of his brothers, incumbent Gov. Tomas III and Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino, of murder charges in connection with the 1995 gunslaying of former Cabanatuan City Mayor Honorato Perez Sr.

But if it comes as a shocker to everyone, particularly to the administration, it was no news to Novo Ecijanos, especially those close to the Josons.

Joson’s resignation led people to speculate that this was the reason why Tomas III, the eldest of the Joson brood, was seen on national television rushing to Malacañang last Friday night, purportedly to apologize to President Estrada who appointed Eduardo Nonato to the NFA post.

A mind of his own

Tomas III, during a flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol last Monday, said his brother has a mind of his own. "Hindi ko naman saklaw ang isip niya (I don’t have control of his mind)," he said.

But even before his resignation, Eduardo Nonato, also known as Edno, is already known as the "odd man out" among the closely knit Joson brood whose patriarch, the late governor Eduardo Sr., reigned for 28 years as the province’s chief executive, without tasting a single defeat.

The Josons have been in power since the post-war period, surviving the protegés of past presidents Ramon Magsaysay, Diosdao Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos.

When he was still assemblyman of the defunct Batasang Pambansa in the 80s, Edno co-authored an anti-dynasty bill while he and four other Josons were sitting as incumbents.

A few months back, upon learning that a nephew, Tomas III’s eldest son Edward Thomas, is running for congressman, he issued a statement vigorously opposing the plan, virtually hinting the latter was not qualified.

Edward Thomas replied that his uncle, indeed, has a personality and mind of his own and that he respected him for it.

To this day, Edno said he will personally oppose Edward Thomas’ plan even if the local Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP), which Tomas III heads, decides to field his nephew.

Edno is a lawyer not only known for his non-traditional stance but for having his own brand of idealism. He is known to be reserved, but a joke-cracker sometimes. His friends say he is more informal, diplomatic and approachable, and less "bossy" and intimidating.

Yet, he is also known for his emotional outbursts.

Immediately after the ambush-slaying of his brother, Cabanatuan Vice Mayor Eduardo III or Danding, in November 1990, he broke into an outburst and threw an ash tray in the direction of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Luis Santos in the session hall of the House of Representatives. He had accused Santos of political power play.

In 1997, when he was still governor, he reportedly raided the session hall of the provincial board to confront Vice Gov. Oscar Tinio and his Lakas-NUCD allies for reportedly not acting on a P150-million loan the provincial government was seeking. He reportedly kicked the flower pot in disgust, and was later suspended for the offense.

When he was to be suspended a second time, he boldly defied the suspension order, cordoned off the provincial capitol compound with bodyguards and his "loyalists" and threatened bloodshed if he would be bodily removed from the capitol.

His defiant acts prompted the then Ramos administration and the police to beat a hasty retreat to prevent violence from erupting.

When the Estrada administration unveiled a plan to privatize the NFA, he did not raised a howl, but did not prevent employees from holding protest actions. He was believed to be quietly supporting their cause.

Different interpretation

But some observers here viewed his resignation differently. Some say his move was meant to calm down the "united opposition" which might vent its wrath on the Josons if Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gets to be installed as president.

After all, the Josons and their supporters were the ones who openly supported Mr. Estrada and marched all the way to Malacañang when the anti-Estrada sentiment was picking up steam.

Danny Macapagal, secretary-general of the provincial chapter of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), claimed that Edno always styles himself as progressive when actually he is just playing it safe.

He said Edno took a different stance during Marcos’ term when the latter issued Amendment No. 6 which clothed him with criminal immunity even after his term.