Political dynasties rise, fall in NE

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines – While political dynasties prevailed in the May 13 elections according to foreign observers, clans in Nueva Ecija suffered otherwise with some taking painful defeats while others further cemented their power in their respective turfs.

The biggest of these dynasties are the Umalis and Josons of the third and first districts, which while posting electoral victories, both suffered setbacks.

The Umalis won the race for the gubernatorial and the congressional posts with Gov. Aurelio Umali and his wife, third district Rep. Czarina, getting fresh mandates, respectively.

Umali’s younger brother, boardmember Emmanuel Antonio, lost to reelectionist Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara by a landslide.

The Josons suffered yet another setback with first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson losing to Gov. Umali and her husband, Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson, getting clobbered by board member Estrellita Suansing in the first district congressional race.

Former vice governor Eduardo IV also lost by a landslide in the vice gubernatorial contest to Umali’s running mate, reelectionist Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos.

Two Josons – board member Eduardo Rey and Dean - won in their bid for reelection and mayorship of Quezon, respectively.

After being virtually invincible for 48 years dating back to 1947, the Josons have been on a steady political decline, suffering one setback after another over the last 18 years.

The clan had its first defeat in 1995 when Manuel Joson, then a neophyte, ran and lost in the first district congressional race against then incumbent Renato Diaz.

In 2001, it was the turn of Edward Thomas Joson – son of former four-time governor Tomas III – to lose, defeated in the third district congressional race by Gov. Umali.

The Josons lost again in 2007 with Gov. Umali beating Mariano Cristino in the gubernatorial race, ending the clan’s 48-year rule in the capitol.