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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Padaca runs for ‘vice’, backs Pol Dy in Isabela

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ILAGAN, Isabela—The persistent rumor that Grace Padaca would team up with a faction of Isabela’s biggest political clan was proven true Monday when she filed her candidacy for vice governor at the Commission on Elections office here.

In a press conference Tuesday, Padaca —Isabela’s governor from 2004 to 2010 and Comelec commissioner until 2012—explained her decision to be the running mate of District 3 Rep. Napoleon “Pol” Dy, who already filed his candidacy as governor last Thursday (Oct. 11).

The Pol Dy-Padaca tandem is out to challenge the tandem of 1st District Rep. Rodito Albano and incumbent Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, who will slide down to vice governor to accommodate the lawmaker.

A polio survivor, Padaca made her first foray into politics in 2001 against Bojie Dy, losing to him for the House of Representatives seat in the province’s third district. She contested the result but still lost by 48 votes, as most of the members of the House Electoral Tribunal refused to count ballots with “Grace” written on them in her favor.

The Dys and Albanos have dominated Isabela politics for more than 30 years. 

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In a statement, Padaca detailed how a group fighting against alleged “corruption” in the provincial government convinced her to run.

“If you can influence that branch of the [Dy] dynasty toward good governance, yes, why not? That’s using power for the good of the people,” she quoted a supporter whom she consulted.

In Pampanga, like Padaca, Governor Lilia Pineda is sliding down – but practically swapping seats with her son, Vice Governor Dennis, as they both filed their certificates of candidacy on Friday.

The Pinedas, of the local political party Kambilan, are running unopposed in the midterm elections. This was after 4th District Rep. Rimpy Bondoc, who was touted to run for governor against the younger Pineda, decided to run for congressman instead, likewise unopposed.

Nicknamed “Delta,” Pineda said he will focus on the basic services such as health, education, food security, environment protection and disaster resilient province. Pampanga folk can easily access his office just like his mother did, he added. With Romeo Dizon

“We are going to prioritize the needy and those who seek medical attention. The best way to serve people is to connect with them,” he said. 

Also filing their CoCs were Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo for 2nd District Congressman; Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and Anthony Joseph Torres for 2nd District Board Members; Cherry Manalo and Benny Jocson for Board Members in the 1st District; Rosve Henson for Board Member in the 3rd District; and Nelson Calara for Board Member in the 4th District. With Romeo Dizon

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