Noynoy, Mar in Isabela today to recruit Padaca for senator

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – The Liberal Party (LP) candidates for president and vice president will be in Isabela province today in a last ditch effort to convince their partymate Gov. Grace Padaca to run in the LP senatorial slate.

Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II will be at the provincial capitol in Ilagan today to announce the party’s candidates in the various local positions in the province as well as possibly to announce the senatorial bid of Padaca, however, she is still reportedly undecided whether to run for reelection as governor, or to gun for a seat in Isabela’s second congressional district or the Senate.

It may be recalled that Padaca had earlier said she would be willing to run for any other elective position if she was sure that the next provincial leadership would not undo the changes she had made in the provincial government for the good of the province.

Padaca, still eligible for one more term as governor, as late as last week said she has not yet decided on what position to run for, in next year’s polls.

“It is important that there is continuity in the (development and political) reforms we have initiated. Should I be the one to continue this or would the one who aspires to succeed me be able to continue (these reforms),” Padaca said, stressing the importance of the “winnability” of the candidate who adheres to the reforms we have been doing,” added Padaca. 

Political observers here said they expect the Aquino-Roxas tandem to make an important decision today with their visit to the Isabela provincial capitol with many expecting the proclamation of Padaca as LP senatorial candidate. 

Padaca’s pronouncement of her 2010 plans is keenly being awaited by all, especially since her allies from the Lakas-CMD here have already endorsed one of her closest political supporters, Rep. Edwin Uy, to be the party’s bet for the governorship. 

Gamu town Mayor Fernando Cumigad, also Lakas secretary general here, said that Uy, whom he described as highly qualified to be the next Isabela governor, had already accepted the party’s nomination.

Speculations on Padaca’s running for the congressional district which Uy will be vacating have grown after the governor transferred her voting residency from Cauayan City in the third district to her birthplace, Naguilian town, in the second district.

Uy’s Lakas-CMD here and Padaca’s group have an existing political alliance since 2004, or when the former broadcast journalist-turned-politician, won by a surprise landslide over then governor Faustino Dy Jr. in the 2004 elections, ending the Dys’ four-decade hold on power.

Additionally, the Dys and the Albanos, whose forces had recently reunited, are eyeing either third district Rep. Faustino Dy III, Malacañang Assistant Secretary Tonypet Albano, former Gov. Benjamin Dy or first district Rep. Rodito Albano as their gubernatorial or vice gubernatorial candidates.

The Dys are allied with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) wherein former Gov. Dy Jr. is the national chairman.