News UpdatePadaca: I will continue fighting

ILAGAN, Isabela, Philippines – Despite her heartbreaking election loss, Gov. Grace Padaca declared that she would continue her crusade to rid the province of corruption and other illegal activities.

“I will continue fighting for you but I cannot do it all alone. You have also to help yourself. Be vigilant against those who will take advantage of you... those who have been undermining your rights and dignity,” said the 46-year-old Padaca, hours after her election defeat.

Padaca lost to now governor-elect three-term third district Rep. Faustino Dy III by a narrow margin – 274,557 votes against her 271,319 votes – derailing what could have been her third and final term as governor of this country’s third largest province.

Her loss brought the Dys back to the province’s top post, which the family had held for 34 years until one of its scions – then incumbent governor Faustino Dy Jr. – lost to Padaca via a huge margin of over 40,000 votes.

Padaca, who described the Dys’ reign as marred with corruption, patronage politics and illegal logging, repeated the same feat against another Dy scion, Benjamin Dy, himself a former three-term governor, whom she defeated in 2007 en route to her second term.

Padaca’s key allies also lost miserably in the May 10 polls, including her vice gubernatorial bet, second district Rep. Edwin Uy, who was defeated by Dy’s running mate, outgoing first district Rep. Rodito Albano.

Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes also lost in the race for the province’s third congressional district seat against Dy’s brother, three-term Alicia town Mayor Napoleon Dy.

The three other congressional seats here were also won by the allies of Dy and Albano.

Mayoral bets identified with the Padaca-Uy camp only managed to grab nine of Isabela’s 36 municipalities.

“I weep for Isabela. I’m a little glad for (myself as) I will now be able to sleep a little earlier, no longer overburdened by the pressures of being the governor,” Padaca said, trying to hold back tears.

“But it does not mean that I will be closing my eyes to the problems of my fellow Isabelinos,” added Padaca, a former hard-hitting broadcaster-turned-politician. - By Charlie Lagasca
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News Update Padaca sees lucky sign as she casts ballot in Isabela

Governor Grace Padaca does not believe in signs.

But on Monday, she felt elated after seeing that she had cast the 125th ballot in the sole clustered precinct in Barangay Minanga, Naguilian, Isabela.

"I have always considered 1-2-5 as lucky numbers," she said.

Padaca was born on October 25 (10-25), and her proclamation as the winning candidate in the 2007 gubernatorial race was announced at 10:25 p.m.

But whether she considers Monday's vote casting as a good omen, the 45-year-old is leaving the matter to God and the electorate.

Padaca arrived at the Minanga Elementary School at 10 a.m.

Clad in a yellow shirt and black trousers, the Liberal Party bet received a warm welcome from her constituents and foreign media groups.

Padaca was also welcomed by her 76-year-old mother Amelia, who accompanied her to the polling center.

The governor pecked her mother’s cheek, and greeted her a “Happy Mother’s Day."

As they walked toward the precinct, Padaca asked the onlookers in Ilocano if they had already voted. The people replied in the affirmative.

When she reached the long queue of voters, the polio-stricken governor asked the people in jest: "Pwedeng pasingit? Sige na... May kodigo naman ako. Mabilis lang ako. Sige na."

The voters broke out in laughter and gave way to the governor.

Padaca voted at precinct 052-A and completed shading her ballot within five minutes.

In an interview, Padaca said she purposely transferred her registration from Cauayan town to barangay Minanga as she wanted to vote in her birth place for what she sees as her last fight in the political ring.

Padaca seemed to be satisfied with the automation system, saying she is thankful that the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine in Minanga did not encounter any glitches.

She also used the opportunity to hit back at her rival Rep. Faustino Dy III and her detractors whom she claimed are responsible for the spread of black propaganda against her.

Dy is trying to reclaim the top provincial post which his family held for 34 years before losing it to Padaca in 2004.

The lady governor, who was already a popular radio broadcaster before going into politics, is seeking her third and last term.

Mommy dances to a different tune

Dy, accompanied by her children, cast his vote in Cauayan South Central School.

Padaca's mother, Amelia, happily recalled to reporters her brief encounter with Dy in the Cauayan polling precinct — where she is a registered voter.

"[Bojie] greeted me pati yung mga anak niya, nag-bless sa akin yung mga bata," she said, adding that Dy’s gesture signifies that the political rivalry between him and her daughter does not extend to neither of their families.

Gov. Padaca said she was aware of her mother's relationship with the Dys and found it "amusing."

"Yung generation kasi nila [mommy] yun yung time na ina-adore yung mg Dy. Sa amin, nung matapos yung people power at nakita namin yung katiwaliaan, kami yung lumalaban," Padaca said.

Nonetheless, Padaca said Mrs. Amelia has always been very supportive of her decisions, even as they refuse to talk about their conflicting political beliefs. - RJAB J