BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – A still politically influential local family who played a key role in Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca’s re-election had shifted back to their old alliance with a still equally powerful political clan to dislodge Padaca in next year’s polls.
The Albanos and the Dys, two of Isabela’s remaining political families, agreed to join forces in the race for the top provincial posts in next year’s polls, with the former to field their patriarch, former Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr., in tandem with graduating Cauayan City Mayor Caezar Dy.
Political differences
“This was what we had agreed upon during our meeting recently in our common effort to bring the province to its former glory days,” said Rep. Faustino Dy III, who confirmed Sunday their unification of forces with the Albanos.
Earlier, Palace Assistant Secretary Tonypet Albano likewise confirmed the unification moves between his family and the Dys.
Following an enduring four-decade alliance, the two families parted ways in 2007 with the Albanos backing Padaca’s reelection after the Dys allegedly reneged on their promise to support an Albano in case former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. backed out of the gubernatorial race.
Instead, the Dys, identified with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), let former Gov. Benjamin Dy run in place of Dy Jr., who withdrew from a rematch with Padaca for the governorship in 2007.
With the Albano support, Padaca was again able to eke out a victory in 2007, spoiling the Dys’ bid to reclaim the governorship which they had held for almost four decades until losing it to Padaca in 2004.
But the alliance between the Albanos of the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) and Padaca, a Liberal Party member, had become short-lived due to reported political differences.