GMA to swear in pro-Dy mayors in Malacañang

AURORA, Isabela — In an apparent move to show that outgoing Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. still enjoys the support of local officials, the mayors of 33 out of Isabela’s 35 municipalities and one city (Cauayan) will take their oaths of office in Malacañang tomorrow.

This leaves only three mayors-elect — Fernando Gumicad of Gamu, Isidro Siquian of Benito Soliven and Renato Candido of Dinapigue — who will take their oaths of office, along with governor-elect Grace Padaca, on June 30 at the provincial capitol gymnasium in the capital town of Ilagan.

Aurora Mayor William Uy, president of the provincial chapter of the League of Municipalities (LMP), said the decision of the 33 pro-Dy mayors to take their oaths before President Arroyo, a close ally of Dy, national chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), was a "consensus of the mayors."

"It was their unanimous decision," said Uy, considered the most trusted mayor of Dy.

The STAR learned that the oathtaking of the pro-Dy mayors in Malacañang, instead of the provincial capitol as was the usual practice, was reportedly arranged by Dy’s younger half-brother and namesake, third district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III, provincial chairman of Kampi, President Arroyo’s original political party.

The younger Dy, who also serves as his brother’s spokesman, has been perceived as the one who has worked to keep the pro-Dy mayors intact.

Despite the mayors’ support, Dy lost to Padaca who chalked up a margin of more than 44,000 votes, trouncing him in 24 of 35 towns and in Cauayan City, hometown of both the Dys and Padaca.

Local political observers said the separate oathtakings of the mayors might be a "prelude" to the planned recall initiative against Padaca.

The groundwork for the recall initiative, according to sources, has started although the actual recall can only be done one year after the assumption of office of the local official sought to be recalled.

Padaca’s camp, however, seemed unfazed by the recall plans against her.

"It’s too early to do that (recall). They should know the law," Padaca earlier told The STAR.

Meanwhile, the forthcoming election of the LMP-Isabela chapter has been described to be a "done deal."

Several mayors, who requested anonymity, said Alicia Mayor Napoleon Dy, younger full-blooded brother of Gov. Dy, has been chosen to take over the local LMP presidency.

Mayor Dy earlier admitted that he might challenge Padaca in the gubernatorial race should the recall initiative prosper.

Diehards of the Dys are reportedly eyeing the presidency of the provincial chapters of the League of Vice Mayors in the Philippines and the Philippine Councilors League.

A Preparatory Recall Assembly (PRA), pursuant to the provision of the 1991 Local Government Code, is composed of all mayors, vice mayors and councilors of the municipalities and component cities of a province.