Ex-Ecija solon on sis’ gov bid: She’s not running, wanna bet?

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija — "Hindi tatakbo ’yan, gusto mo pustahan tayo (She’s not running, wanna bet)?"

Thus reacted former fourth district Rep. Victorio Lorenzo on the announcement of his estranged younger sister, former fourth district Rep. Julita Lorenzo-Villareal, that she would run for the governorship against incumbent Gov. Tomas Joson III in the 2004 elections.

Lorenzo said he seriously doubts whether Villareal, wife of incumbent fourth district Rep. Raoul Villareal, would risk running for governor against Joson.

"Pustahan tayo (Let’s bet on it)," he offered this correspondent during the birthday party of Antonio Carlos, former chairman of Barangay San Roque here.

He said his sister is wise enough not to run against Joson. "If you know local politics, will you take a risk against somebody with whom you have no chance?" he asked.

He added that her sister has confined her moves to only the fourth district and has not gone to the other congressional districts, much less in the first district, a known Joson bailiwick, contrary to her claims.

Villareal earlier warned Joson against underestimating her chances, claiming she has the support of many Novo Ecijanos clamoring for reforms.

Lorenzo and Villareal are the scions of the late mayor Maximino Lorenzo. The Lorenzo-Villareal clan is the second biggest political dynasty in the province and is considered the political kingpin in the fourth district, which covers one city and seven municipalities.