Eduardo "Tatang" Lopez Joson Sr. (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, making him the second longest serving politician serving one government position in the country. During his governorship, he founded a local political party, Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.

Biography

World War II

Joson was a guerrilla fighter during World War II. 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. 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

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. He was elected governor of Nueva Ecija on that year and was re-elected in five succeeding elections. He served almost continuously until his death; in 1986, he was ousted in the aftermath of the People Power Revolution. Being called "Tatang", as governor, he was known by constituents whom he helped through certain acts, which included paying for the delivery of infants, as well as free medicine, coffins, hospitalization and scholarships to those in need. 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. In 1986, Joson was replaced by Emmanuel Santos as OIC governor appointed by the Aquino administration. The following year, he established his own regional political party, Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane). Ran under the said party in 1988, Joson regained his seat after defeating Santos.

Later life and death

Joson suffered a heart attack in December 1989. 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. Joson died on August 9, 1990 at age 71. 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.

Personal life and family

Joson was married to Araceli Santos Noriel, the granddaughter of Mariano Noriel and they had six children. All five sons either held or are holding elective office; two followed him in the same position. Since his first election as governor, the family was involved in local politics; a daughter-in-law, Josefina Manuel–Joson (Mariano Cristino's wife), his grandsons, and a grandson-in-law as well. Josons' half-century governorship ended in 2007 when then vice governor Mariano Cristino was defeated by Aurelio Umali. 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. Meanwhile, for years, the Josons also ruled Quezon town and represented the province's first district in the Congress. 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. In the 2022 elections, Boyet, re-electionist mayor of their hometown, Quezon, defeated Edno.

Legacy

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.