GMA kin 'third force' in Ecija governorship race?

CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines  – Throw in a Third Force in the grudge rematch between reelectionist Gov. Aurelio Umali and a member of the Joson clan.

A relative of President Arroyo is seeking the governorship of Nueva Ecija to break the stranglehold on the Capitol of Umali and the Josons.

Former three-term congressman Pacifico Fajardo, who styles himself as the “Third Force,” said he is seeking the governorship following what he said was the mounting public clamor from various sectors in the province.

Fajardo, a former administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and mayor for three terms of Palayan City, said he has given it serious thought after several groups of Novo Ecijanos, including farmers, non-government organizations and even municipal mayors from Umali’s Lakas-CMD and the Josons’ Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane), expressed support for his candidacy.

“If only because of the groundswell of support, I am seriously considering to run for governor for the sake of the development of Nueva Ecija,” adding he can be the alternative candidate.

Fajardo, who sits as director of San Miguel Corp., is the father of Undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and presidential assistant for Central Luzon. The younger Fajardo is the goddaughter of Mrs. Arroyo.

The former congressman was OIC-mayor of Palayan City in the late 80s. In 1992, he ran for congressman in the vote-rich third congressional district and won over former Supreme Court Justice Hermogenes Concepcion Jr., then considered a political heavyweight. He was reelected in 1995 and again in 1998, then becoming the only congressman in the province to complete three terms.

At that time, the Fajardos were considered the third most powerful political dynasty in the province, after the Josons and the Villareals.