Comelec Control pushed; opposed

CABANATUAN CITY - An administration congressman stressed the other day the need to place Nueva Ecija under the direct control of the Commission on Elections in the coming midterm elections.

Rep. Aurelio Umali of the Third District of Nueva Ecija said that Comelec control is needed to “avoid the eruption of violence,” saying even Gov. Tomas Joson III reported a death threat.

But Joson’s brother, Vice-Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson, slammed their “political rivals” of allegedly creating a dark image of the province.
Umali, the provincial chairman of administration party Lakas, is headed for a fight against the younger Joson, chairman of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija, for the gubernatorial post.

Umali said that even the private sectors, including church-based, organizations and former governor Eduardo Nonato Joson, have call for the Comelec control. Former representative Renato Diaz, presidential assistant for North Luzon, agreed.
Vice-Governor Joson, however, stressed that no violence has erupted in Nueva Ecija since 1998, saying that any official like him can walk through barangays without a security escort.

Without mentioning names, he slammed those who would claim to be having a good fight only if they survived until May 14.
The governor, on the other hand, said the police only have to create clear-cut guidelines on responding to election-related calls.

Maintaining the peace and order is sound; he said Comelec control could only be good for the implementation of a gun ban. --Armand M. Galang