Summary
Eduardo "Tatang" Lopez Joson Sr.[1] (August 5, 1919 – August 9, 1990) was a captain of Filipino guerrillas during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II. He later became the mayor of Quezon, Nueva Ecija and eventually the governor of Nueva Ecija in a span of 31 years until his death in 1990,[2] making him the second longest serving politician serving one government position in the country.
Eduardo Lopez Joson | |
|---|---|
 Official Portrait of Governor Eduardo L. Joson | |
| Governor of Nueva Ecija | |
| In office December 30, 1959 – 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Amado Aleta |
| Succeeded by | Emmanuel T. Santos |
| In office June 30, 1988 – August 9, 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Emmanuel T. Santos |
| Succeeded by | Narciso S. Nario Sr. |
| Mayor of Quezon, Nueva Ecija | |
| In office December 30, 1947 – December 30, 1959 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1919 Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippine Islands |
| Died | August 9, 1990 (aged 71) Nueva Ecija, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija |
| Other political affiliations | Kilusang Bagong Lipunan |
| Spouse | Araceli Noriel |
| Children | 6, including Tomas III and Eduardo Nonato |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | USAFFE |
| Commands | Squadron 213 |
| Battles/wars | World War II
|
During his governorship, he founded a local political party, Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.[1]
Biography edit
World War II edit
Joson was a guerrilla fighter during World War II.[3] He served with anti-Japanese forces; he was recognized as a war hero for his leadership and his participation, being one of Filipino guerilla captains, in a successful raid in a Japanese POW camp called Camp Pangatian in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija in January 1945 wherein American prisoners of war were rescued.[2][4]
Joson was the captain of Squadron 213 of Robert Lapham's guerrilla fighters in the Philippines. Along with Captain Juan Pajota, they led the Philippine guerillas during the raid supporting the Alamo Scouts, the largest rescue of prisoners of war in US military history.
Political career edit
Joson's political career began when he dropped out of law school to run for mayor of Quezon, Nueva Ecija in 1947 and served until 1959.[2][3] He was elected governor of Nueva Ecija on that year and was re-elected in five succeeding elections.[3] He served almost continuously until his death;[4][3] in 1986, he was ousted in the aftermath of the People Power Revolution.[3]
Being called "Tatang",[1] as governor, he was known by constituents whom he helped through certain acts, which included paying for the delivery of infants,[4] as well as free medicine, coffins, hospitalization and scholarships to those in need.[2]
Joson was a member of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party of President Ferdinand Marcos, who at once apparently united him and his rival, Cabanatuan mayor Honorato Perez. However, both never reconciled and left the party after the president's ouster.[4]
In 1986, Joson was replaced by Emmanuel Santos as OIC governor appointed by the Aquino administration.[5][6] The following year, he established his own regional political party, Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).[3][4][5] Ran under the said party in 1988, Joson regained his seat after defeating Santos.[5]
Later life and death edit
Joson suffered a heart attack in December 1989.[4] On December 7, he temporarily vacated his office through a sick leave. Vice governor Narciso Nario and senior board member Tomas Joson III took over as acting governors. This became controversial when Tomas briefly succeeded Nario, who then left vice governorship due to health issues until being reinstalled by the Local Government Secretary and designated again as acting governor.[7]
Joson died on August 9, 1990[5] at age 71.[4] He was later laid to rest in Quezon City; Eduardo III, then Cabanatuan vice mayor killed in an ambush later that year, was interred beside him.[8]
Personal life and family edit
Joson was married to Araceli Santos Noriel, the granddaughter of Mariano Noriel and they had six children.[5][2] All five sons[2] either held or are holding elective office; two followed him in the same position.[3]
- Tomas III (eldest): board member in the 1980s;[5][2] vice governor (replacing Narciso Nario; Dec. 23, 1989–Jan. 3, 1990, when Nario temporarily left the office;[7] in 1990, when Nario became governor following Eduardo's death[4]); governor (acting, Dec. 19, 1989–Jan. 3, 1990;[2][7] 1992–1995, 1998–2007);[3][9] defeated in Cabanatuan mayoralty election in 2007;[10][11][12] deceased[1]
- Eduardo Nonato (Edno; second son): provincial assemblyman, Batasang Pambansa (elected 1984);[1] representative of the province's first legislative district (elected 1988, 2007–2010[10][11][12][13]); governor (1995–1998); was the administrator of the National Food Authority during the Estrada administration; senatorial candidate under Alyansa ng Pag-asa coalition in 2004[2]
- Mariano Cristino (Boyet;[14] third son): incumbent mayor of Quezon (elected 1984; 1988–1995, 1998–2004,[15][2] 2010–2013,[13] and since 2016[3][1][16][14]); vice governor (2004–2007);[15][12] lost to then third district Rep. Aurelio Umali in 2007 gubernatorial elections;[10][11] ran (under Nationalist People's Coalition–Balane) for representative of the first district in 2013 but lost to Estrellita Suansing[9][13]
- Eduardo III (Danding; fifth son):[5] served as vice mayor of Cabanatuan from 1988 until being killed in an ambush on November 30, 1990[4][2]
- Eduardo IV: mayor of Quezon (1995–1998); vice governor (1998–2004);[2] ran for third district representative under United Opposition banner in 2007;[10] ran for vice governorship in 2013 but lost;[9] ran for vice mayor of Cabanatuan[3]
Since his first election as governor, the family was involved in local politics;[4][3] a daughter-in-law, Josefina Manuel–Joson (Mariano Cristino's wife), his grandsons,[17] and a grandson-in-law as well.[2]
Josons' half-century governorship ended in 2007 when then vice governor Mariano Cristino was defeated by Aurelio Umali.[18] In 2013 elections, the Umalis, led by re-electionist Aurelio, won majority of the seats in the provincial government, thus ending the Josons' political rule in the province.[9]
Meanwhile, for years, the Josons also ruled Quezon town and represented the province's first district in the Congress.[a]
The Joson family did not field a member in the 2016 gubernatorial elections, the first time in 56 years. Tomas III, then chairman of the family's Balane, nominated former congressman Rodolfo Antonino as the party's candidate.[17]
In the 2022 elections, Boyet, re-electionist mayor of their hometown, Quezon, defeated Edno.[1][14]
Legacy edit
After the war, Joson took part in helping rebuild the infrastructure of the Philippines.
Joson conceived the idea of a capitol building in Palayan City which was finally established and opened on January 25, 2002, by his son, Tomas N. Joson who also became the governor of the province in 1992 and served until 2007 together with his cousin who was then his executive adviser, Julio M. Mercado after his term as vice mayor. On August 5, 2004, a hospital was dedicated in his honor and college was also named after him. It was then announced that their descendants Edward Joson and Julio Jose G Mercado will continue the legacy of former governor Eduardo (Tatang) Joson and pass on to their children.
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ Members of the Joson clan who served as legislators representing Nueva Ecija:
Assemblyman, Batasang Pambansa
- Eduardo Nonato (son; elected 1984)[2]
- Eduardo Nonato (elected 1988,[2] 2007–10[13])
- Josefina Manuel (wife of Mariano Cristino; 1998–2007, 2010–13)[2][13]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Galang, Armand (October 4, 2021). "Sibling rivalry in NE: Joson vs. Joson in hometown of Quezon". Punto! Central Luzon. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Makabenta, Leah (April 24, 2004). "Central Luzon: Aquino–Cojuangco most durable, unique (Part 2 of 7)". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A1, A16. Retrieved June 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Roque, Anselmo (April 8, 2016). "For first time in 56 years, no Joson running for Ecija gov". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Branigin, William (December 25, 1990). "A deadly brand of politics". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Roque, Anselmo (May 9, 2001). "Homegrown political parties test their mettle on May 14". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A18. Retrieved June 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Poll winners: Same name, same families". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 23, 2001. p. A17. Retrieved June 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "G.R. No. 91548". The LawPhil Project. Arellano Law Foundation. July 13, 1990. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ Nuñez, Johnny (December 5, 1990). "Josons denounce haste in filing murder raps". Manila Standard. p. 9. Retrieved June 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d "Josons skip Nueva Ecija guv race, will field ally instead". Politiko (South Luzon). October 20, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "After a century, political clan still rules". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 12, 2007. pp. A1, A22. Retrieved June 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d "Old fiefdoms going as Valeras, Josons tumble". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 20, 2007. pp. A1, A20. Retrieved June 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c Anacleto, Liam (May 20, 2007). "Joson clan's charm loses luster in N. Ecija politics". Northern Philippine Times. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Galvez, Manny (May 18, 2013). "Josons lose 15-year hold on Ecija congressional turf". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Eleksyon 2022: Local results from Quezon, Nueva Ecija". GMA News Online. 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Galvez, Manny (April 18, 2004). "Erap holds no grudge vs Joson for backing GMA". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Local results from Quezon, Nueva Ecija:
- "Eleksyon 2016". GMA News Online. 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- "Eleksyon 2019". GMA News Online. 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Galvez, Manny (October 19, 2015). "Josons not fielding kin for Nueva Ecija top post". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Galvez, Manny (May 20, 2010). "Umali, Padiernos top Nueva Ecija polls". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
Further reading edit
- Crisostomo, Isabelo (1989). Governor Eduardo L. Joson: The Gentle Lion of Nueva Ecija. Quezon City, Philippines: J. Kriz Publishing Enterprises. ISBN 971-91050-3-8.
External links edit
- US Pacific Command
- Nueva Ecija Journal