Isabela’s united opposition to challenge NPC bets

CAUAYAN City, Isabela — Local leaders of four major political parties here have formed an alliance to fight the well-oiled local political machinery of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

The Isabela United Opposition is composed of Raul Roco’s Alyansa ng Pag-asa, Senator Aquilino Pimentel’s PDP-Laban, disqualified presidential candidate Eddie Gil’s Isang Bansa Isang Diwa Party and the administration’s Lakas-CMD.

The STAR learned that the alliance has been mutually agreed upon by gubernatorial bet Grace Padaca of Alyansa ng Pag-asa, Santiago City mayor Jose "Pempe" Miranda of PDP-Laban, Cauayan City mayoralty bet Marianito "Jun" Felipe of Isang Bansa Isang Diwa Party and 2nd District Rep. Edwin Uy, provincial chairman of Lakas-CMD.

Padaca, who is the common gubernatorial bet of the United Opposition and acting as the group’s spokesperson, said the four political parties have fielded common candidates from the municipal to provincial level to challenge NPC candidates.

Padaca, a former commentator of Bombo Radyo dzNC in Cauayan, explained though that "the United Opposition is effective only in the local level." In the national level, she said each party will campaign for its respective presidential, vice presidential and senatorial candidates.

"The United Opposition is formed to attain a common purpose — to end the political dynasty in Isabela," Padaca said in a press briefings here.

Isabela governor and NPC chairman Faustino Dy Jr. welcomed the formation of the United Opposition saying that it "indicates a vibrant democracy in the province."

He said that every Isabelino is free to form or join a group for political purposes although he added that "one must respect whatever the majority decision of the electorate."

He scored, however, the United Opposition for accusing the Dys of perpetuating themselves in power.

"Why should they call us a dynasty when we were duly elected by our people?" Dy asked.

Meanwhile, Cauayan City mayor Caesar Dy has dared Catholic Bishop Sergio Utleg to resign from the clergy and run for a local elective post.

Utleg’s Pastoral Letter, which called Dy "abusive and tyrannical" for ordering the closure of Bombo Radyo dzNC on Feb. 17, was read in all Catholic churches in the province last Sunday.