Vergara versus Vergara

Incumbent city mayor Alvin Vergara will return the mayoralty post given to him by his cousin former mayor Jay Vergara, the three termer city mayor this coming 2010 election after his one term skip.

According to the city hall insiders, Alvin Vergara was advised by his circle of closed friends not to give up the mayorship that easy without any resistance, he may not have the money that his cousin Jay have, still, he is the incumbent mayor of the city.

Also eyeing for the second time is ex-Gov. Tomas Joson. He ran and lost the mayoralty election last May 11, 2007 against Mayor Alvin Vergara.

Novo Ecijanos Prepares for 2010 Election

As early as 2008, local politicians from all sides of the fence were seen trading stinging remarks and making rounds around the towns and cities of the province on a regular basis consulting their leaders.

Another political heat wave is expected with the controversial fund cut and block scandal involving the two top provincial leaders, Governor Oyie Umali and Vice Gov. Edward Joson.

It was also learned that a return bout between the Umalis and Josons will be the highlight of the upcoming 2010 election. This bout, according to Novo Ecijanos will decide the future political careers of both the Umali's and the Joson family, including the incumbent congressmen, provincial board and mayors.

With this kind of politics in the province majority of Novo Ecijanos were considering of making another big decisions. This includes political and personality changes in provincial boards, the city and municipal level. This will affects the present four (4) congressional district representatives, the provincial board members, local mayors and councilors majority of whom were Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (BALANE) members and loyalist of the Joson political dynasty.

Gov. Umali is the incumbent chairman of pro-position Lakas-CMD while former Gov. Tommy Joson is the chairman of his family's local provincial party, the Bagong Lakas ng N.E. (BALANE) and the local chapter of also a pro-position Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) headed by Pres. Gloria Arroyo.

But with the sneaky haste merger of both parties, that resulted in a single Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, status of both Umali and Joson now hanged up in the party heirarchy of selection.

Nueva Ecija's Mariano to take Beltrans seat in the House

Rafael Mariano, the former party list representative of Anakpawis in the 13th Congress, will return the House to replace Rep. Crispin Beltran who died last May 20.

Cherry Clemente, Anakpawis secretary general, confirmed that Mariano is the party list's second nominee and would take Beltran's seat in the House.

Mariano, 51, a native of Nueva Ecija, first became a party list congressman in 2004, together with Beltran when Anakpawis was entitled to two party list House seats. He was then the national chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said there is no need for a special election for Beltran's vacated seat. He said that Anakpawis only needs to file a manifestation before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on what happened to its original representative and who will replace him. The commission will then issue a resolution naming the new party list representative and this will be presented to the House secretary general.

Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay visit Nueva Ecija

Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay was a frequent visitor of Nueva Ecija. He was welcomed by Novo Ecijanos last August, 2008 at the Nueva Ecija National High School (NENHS) Gym which was attended by close to three thousand people from across the province.

In his speech he reiterated his plan to run for the presidency this coming 2010, his declaration of intention was well received and applauded by all attendees.

Mayor Binay is the founder of the much vaunted United Opposition and Genuine Opposition (UNO-GO) that won mudslide the last 2007 senate election. He is also the president of the PDP-Laban, one of the major political parties of the Philippines.

Central Luzon Provinces and Cities

Central Luzon contains the largest plain in the country and produces most of the country's rice supply, earning itself the nickname "Rice Granary of the Philippines" and "Rice Bowl of the Philippines". Its provinces are: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Central Luzon Region is located north of Manila, the nation's capital. Bordering the region are the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley regions to the north; National Capital Region and CALABARZON to the south; and of waters of Manila Bay to the south; South China Sea to the west; and The Philippine Sea to the east.

There are thirteen cities which include: Balanga in Bataan; Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan; Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose in Nueva Ecija; Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga; Tarlac in Tarlac; and Olongapo in Zambales.

The City of San Fernando, in Pampanga, is the regional center.

Aurora Province was transferred from Region IV to Region III by Executive Order No. 103.

Cities and Provincial Governors

The thirteen cities of Central Luzon.

• Angeles City, Pampanga
• Balanga City, Bataan
• Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
• Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
• Malolos City, Bulacan
• Meycauayan City, Bulacan
• Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Olongapo City, Zambales
• Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
• City of San Fernando, Pampanga
• San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
• San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan
• Tarlac City, Tarlac

Incumbent Central Luzon Governors serving their 3 year term 2004-2010:

• Bellaflor Angara-Castillo - Aurora
• Enrique T. Garcia jr. - Bataan
• Joselito R. Mendoza - Bulacan
• Aurelio Matias-Umali - Nueva Ecija
• Eduardo Panlilio - Pampanga
• Victor Yap - Tarlac
• Amor Deloso - Zambales

Noynoy Aquino bows in Erap's birthday party

Stars come out for Erap's private birthday party

abs-cbnnews.com | 04/20/2008 9:53 AM

Showbiz friends and political allies of former president Joseph Estrada came out in force to attend his private birthday party at his Polk St. residence Saturday night, ABS-CBN reported.

Among the early arrivals were movie stars Boots Anson Roa, Amalia Fuentes and Eddie Garcia, followed closely by stars of the political scene John Osmeña, Senate President Manuel Villar, San Juan Representative Ronaldo "Ronnie" Zamora, columnist Ninez Cacho-Olivarez, Makati mayor Jejomar Binay, Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Mar Roxas, and Juan Ponce Enrile, former press secretary Rod Reyes, and former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza.

Although most of the attendees admitted they were only there to celebrate Estrada's birthday, there was still talk about his speculated presidential campaign in 2010.

Senator Loren Legarda, who also attended, was asked to comment regarding this and she smiled and said, "interesting."

Media was not allowed to cover the event.