In a secret balloting held at the Amity Hotel, Alicia Mayor Napoleon Dy trounced Benito Soliven mayor Isidro Siquian, whose wife is the sister of Padaca’s mother.
Six mayors from the coastal towns, however, failed to attend the re-organizational meeting due to bad weather.
Initially, Ilagan Mayor Delfinito Albano, brother of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman Rodolfo Albano and Gamu Mayor Fernando Cumigad, a key ally of second district Rep. Edwin Uy, Lakas-CMD provincial chairman, declared their intention to run for the LMP’s top post but both backed out at the last minute leaving Dy and Siquian squaring for the LMP’s presidency.
Though it cannot be determined whom the mayors voted for, a mini-exit poll conducted by members of the Isabela Press Club present during the election showed that Dy was supported by the mayors from the second, third and fourth districts while Siquian was backed mostly by the mayors from the first district, an Albano bailiwick.
Although enjoying the support of Uy, the acknowledged political godfather of Padaca, Siquian failed to get the solid votes of the mayors in Uy’s own district.
In his statement, Dy dosed off speculations that his election as LMP president of Isabela might be used as the launching pad of the Dys to reclaim their lost political glory brought about by the defeat in the gubernatorial race of his brother to Padaca in the last elections.
"The LMP is a very effective instrument to bring needed resources to develop and improve our respective localities," said Dy even as he assured of his full support "to the good plans and programs of the newly installed administration of Governor Padaca."
"I repeat good plans and programs," emphasized Dy, a second term mayor who, in 2001 elections, defeated newly elected Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes in the mayoralty race in Alicia, one of the province’s premier towns.
For his part, Siquian said his defeat to Dy only means "that a vibrant democracy is now a reality in the province."
The mayors agreed that other LMP provincial officials from the vice president down shall be appointed by the newly elected LMP president.