Recall move vs. Umali dead

PALAYAN CITY - The Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane), the political party led by the influentrial Joson clan, has finally dropped the idea of seeking a recall elections against Gov. Aurelio Umali.

First District Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson, party chair, said the idea which was floated as early as December last year, could have been best way to remove Umali from office owing to the governor's "failure to deliver," good governance."But the party decided not to go with it," Joson said, saying the decision was reached during the recent meeting among party officials and members in Cabanatuan City.

He maintained a recall election was all for the advantage of a party candidate.

"Una, maliit ang gastos dahil one on one ang laban," he said. The campaign could be conveniently carried by party members since they are not in a fight. "Ikaw lang ang ikakampanya nila," Joson added, pertaining to whoever the party will field against Umali.

He also believes that Iglesia Ni Cristo, a powerful religious group that effectively endorses some candidates during elections, would take a neutral side this time.

The INC reportedly favored Umali during the 2004 gubernatorial elections over Joson's younger brother , former Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson.

Umali said he was not in a position to comment of the "wisdom and efficacy" of the decision to "recall the recall" but vowed an un-distracted discharge of duties and Nueva Ecija's chief executive.Being not a member of Balane, he said, he would not know the reason behind the move.

He said the reports of a drive to subject him to a recall elections cropped up even he was only a few months from office.

Joson also said the party has yet to decide on the who will be it's standard bearer for the 2010 elections. This amid reports that former Gov. Tomas Joson, his elder brother, would be the strongest bet.