Arroyo endorses Dy vs Padaca for Isabela gov

ILAGAN, Isabela – The quest of former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. to reclaim the governorship of this Cagayan Valley province took a new turn yesterday after Malacañang named him as its official candidate, paving the way for his return bout with incumbent Gov. Grace Padaca.

In a special meeting at Malacañang, the administration’s coalition parties unanimously endorsed Dy as their common candidate for governor of Isabela, the country’s third largest province, against Padaca who has the support of the Liberal Party wing of Sen. Franklin Drilon.

The pro-administration coalition groups the Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), the Liberal Party wing of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), of which Dy had just assumed as chairman.

The Palace endorsement of Dy came two weeks after the Lakas-CMD’s Isabela chapter headed by Rep. Edwin Uy, a close ally of Padaca, said it would continue supporting the woman governor even if this meant going against the wishes of Malacañang.

Meanwhile, Dy was welcomed by thousands of supporters as he returned to the province last Sunday.

Dy said he was unfazed by threats from the New People’s Army (NPA), which he said had been intimidating him since his first term as governor and even during his stint as congressman of Isabela’s second district.

In his arrival speech here, Dy said he came back to heed the clamor of Isabelinos for him to run again "despite the opposition of my family, especially my wife."

Dy went on "self-imposed exile" in the United States after he lost to Padaca in the 2004 elections. It was the first time that the Dy clan lost the governorship which they had held for more than three decades.

Dy said he had to heed the call of his provincemates to seek the governorship again despite his somewhat good fortune and the promise of an ideal retirement in the US.

Besides, he said Padaca "failed to continue the programs" on health, peace and order and education which he had started.

"Had she just continued our programs, I would rather continue my retirement in private life," he said.

Dy, who has the support of 29 of Isabela’s 36 mayors, said he was ready and willing to campaign even in so-called NPA-influenced areas in the province, something which his political leaders admitted he failed to do in the 2004 elections, thus resulting in his stunning defeat.

"I’m willing to do this for the Isabelinos even if this would cost me my life," said Dy, who lost to then neophyte Padaca by over 40,000 votes, a margin which his supporters claimed was obtained through the harassment and intimidation of the NPA and local left-leaning groups.

The Catholic Church, led by then Ilagan Bishop Sergio Utleg, according to the Dy camp, even campaigned and shelled out funds for Padaca’s candidacy.

Dy, 59, said it is up to the people of Isabela to decide who they want to support in the May gubernatorial race, saying one’s track record is important.

"Don’t be deceived by propaganda; they are good in that. Just compare our achievements for three years and her accomplishment for the same period," he said. 

Earlier, Padaca, 42, who uses crutches, uncannily echoed Dy’s statements that the people should base their judgment on accomplishments.

"Before, the Isabelinos truly made a gamble on me because I had no track record to show. Now that they have a track record for which to measure my administration, I still believe that the people of Isabela are behind me," she said.