‘I fear for the fate of Isabela’

The Dy clan which has ruled Isabela for decades warned that the northern province would fall into communist hands if winning gubernatorial candidate Grace Padaca takes over.

Thus claimed Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. in a statement read for him by his congressman-son, Faustino III, in a press conference at the Diamond Hotel in Manila yesterday.

"I shudder in fear just thinking about the fate of Isabela should the NPA (New People’s Army) take over. I will not allow (Grace) Padaca or the NPA to destroy the legacy of my father to the Isabelinos," the governor said in his statement.

Dy issued the statement on the eve of the hearing by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of his petition seeking to disqualify Padaca, who led him in both the final count of the National Movement for Free Elections and the poll body’s provincial canvassing (excluding the questioned certificates of canvass from six towns).

In his petition, Dy alleged that Padaca, a former broadcaster, had conspired with the NPA to terrorize voters and barangay officials of known bailiwicks of the Dys.

Dy presented affidavits of barangay officials supporting his claims. In yesterday’s press conference, 20 of Isabela’s 36 mayors were present.

The petition prompted the Comelec’s first division to issue last May 22 a temporary restraining order just as the Isabela board of canvassers was about to proclaim Padaca as governor-elect.

The TRO’s lifting has gotten the nod of majority of the seven-man poll body although it has yet to promulgate it because of today’s hearing.

Padaca, a polio victim who walks with crutches, has vehemently denied Dy’s allegations. Isabela second district Rep. Edwin Uy has described them as "absurd," saying, "How can a frail woman, who walks with crutches, sow terror?"

Earlier, Salvador Pueblo, spokesman of the NPA’s Northern Luzon Committee, denied that its Benito Tesorio Command in Isabela had connived with Padaca.

Padaca, meanwhile, said yesterday she found it "funny" that Dy has invoked "due process" in seeking her disqualification.

"Funny how they often talk about the law and due process now after they have so brazenly ignored and violated them even while the whole Philippines is watching," she said.

"The Isabelinos have spoken," she said, accusing Dy of "delaying tactics" to stall her proclamation.

The younger Dy said they would respect the Comelec’s decision should it decide to lift the TRO. But he said they would press charges against Padaca, possibly including rebellion, "in due time."

"The disqualification case is not about Dy Jr. or about Grace Padaca. The media have exploited the issue but they have missed the bigger picture. This is about something bigger than any of us. It is about national security, it is about democracy itself," Gov. Dy said in his statement.