The endorsement came as the provincial directorate of the Lakas-CMD supported the fielding of Jose Taruc IV, son and namesake of famed broadcaster Joe Taruc, as Umali’s running mate.
Umali told The STAR that he is grateful for the expression of support for his candidacy, particularly from Mrs. Arroyo and his partymates.
"I have all the respect for President GMA. She knows what’s best for Nueva Ecija," he said.
Umali said the party is also fielding businessman Joseph Violago, former two-term congressman and presidential assistant for Central Luzon, as its official candidate for congressman in the first district, and his own wife, Cherry Umali, in the third district.
The Lakas-CMD’s arbitration committee is still undecided on whether to field businessman Gay Padiernos as the party’s bet for congressman in the fourth district since the incumbent, Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, who is eyeing reelection, is a known ally of President Arroyo.
Antonino, uncle of Manny Pacquiao’s potential rival, General Santos City Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, is the Central Luzon chairman of the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Umali said the provincial party leadership is still firming up its slates in the city and municipal levels in time for the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for local officials on March 29.
The fielding of Umali, the Lakas-CMD’s provincial chairman, as the party’s gubernatorial candidate scuttled efforts by Lakas-CMD and four of its coalition partners to reach an agreement on the fielding of common bets in all local positions to preserve their unity.
The other coalition partners are Kampi, the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the Liberal Party wing of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, and the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP).
Kampi has accepted Gov. Tomas Joson III and his younger brother, Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino, as new members, with the younger Joson installed as provincial chairman. Mariano Cristino is also eyeing the governorship.
With the Josons now with Kampi, speculations were rife that the coalition might field a common gubernatorial bet in either Umali or Vice Gov. Joson under the "equity of the incumbent" rule.
The rule, however, does not apply since neither of the two can be considered incumbents since they will be gunning for a position different from their present one.