Joson, Estrada diehards in Nueva Ecija support Arroyo

CABANATUAN CITY — Gov. Tomas Joson III, one of the staunchest and most loyal allies of ousted President Joseph Estrada, did the unthinkable over the weekend when he threw his support behind the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Joson, who led pro-Estrada rallies in Mendiola at the height of "EDSA 2," said he decided to support Mrs. Arroyo in the spirit of unity and in response to her call for healing and rebuilding.

But he said the Arroyo administration should see to it that its commitment to a "healing process" would be fulfilled and that vendetta politics be set aside.

"We would co-exist peacefully and extend support to the new administration," he said.

Joson’s Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) had been with the opposition for 12 years prior to the Estrada administration.

Joson’s expression of support for Mrs. Arroyo surprised Balane leaders and many Novo Ecijanos who had supported Mr. Estrada when he ran for senator, vice president and president.

However, the Josons and Mrs. Arroyo are known to be in good terms even though they belong to opposing parties. Before the 1998 elections, Mrs. Arroyo even visited the governor and his younger brother, Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino, at the Camp Crame detention center where they were detained for more than three years for their alleged involvement in the April 1995 slaying of former Cabanatuan Mayor Honorato Perez.

But Joson clarified that his expression of support does not mean he would abdicate his allegiance to Mr. Estrada and the Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) coalition.

Joson’s other allies in Balane also welcomed the Arroyo administration.

San Isidro Mayor Sonia Loren-zo, executive vice president of the Balane-dominated League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), said she decided to support the new administration because not doing so, would only further polarize the country.

"We have to unite in support of the new President so we could concentrate on rebuilding. We have to start somewhere, sometime, and the time is now," she said in a statement.