Lakas-CMD ready to bankroll Padaca’s Senate bid

ROXAS, Isabela — The administration’s Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) here would continue to support incumbent Gov. Grace Padaca, even if Malacañang would form a unity ticket in the province to back the return of former governor Faustino Dy Jr.

Lakas-CMD leaders and members here said they are ready to bankroll the Senatorial bid of Padaca should she eventually be included in the administration’s unity ticket and if Padaca accepts it.

Earlier, the Lakas-CMD national directorate and the Palace were reportedly strongly considering the 42-year-old former broadcast journalist-turned politician for inclusion in its ticket together with Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

The proposed unity ticket comprising Lakas-CMD, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) here and the President’s party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), was being floated by some leaders from the three parties here. They were also pushing for a common gubernatorial candidate, most likely Dy Jr. or Gawad Kalinga executive Tonypet Albano, son of Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano Sr.

"We defied the Palace’s wishes for us to support Dy in 2004, but we stuck to Padaca and the rest is history. They didn’t file any sanctions against me then for going against the candidate of Malacañang," Uy said.

He added that although as of now he stands by his agreement with Padaca that they’ll support each other politically, Malacañang has sent feelers that it wants him to run as the party’s candidate for governor of the province.

Earlier, Padaca said that should she decide not to run for governor and gun for a higher seat, she would support nobody to replace her except Uy.