Lakas-Padaca team strong in Isabela

ILAGAN, Isabela, Philippines – The existing alliance between the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in the province and the group of Gov. Grace Padaca of the Liberal Party (LP) remains strong amid the merger of the Lakas party and the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).

According to Rep. Edwin Uy, Lakas chairman here, their “alliance with Padaca is strong and has been in existence even before the merger became a reality. It will not be affected by the merger,” he said.

Uy said this was true even if the local Kampi led by the Albanos of former Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr. were a little negative about the tie-up of the Lakas-CMD with Padaca, who is identified with LP president Sen. Mar Roxas.

Padaca, who has been endorsed by the LP as one of its bets for senator, had said earlier that she was keeping her options open regarding her 2010 political plans, but in case she decides to run for a different office, she would be endorsing Uy as her successor.

Political observers here said that although the merger of Lakas and Kampi had already occurred in Isabela, it would still be difficult for the now merged party called Lakas-Kampi-CMD to become truly united since both Uy and Albano Jr. and other local stalwarts from both administration-allied parties are setting their sights on the same post in next year’s elections. 

In fact, Uy and Albano, also a former three-term congressman, have already declared their bid for the governorship of this country’s third largest province. Likewise, three-term Rep. Faustino Dy III had also declared to seek the governorship here.

Uy, however, said that there was actually no problem concerning the search for the governorship and other provincial and municipal candidates among the members of the merged party since there are procedures being followed to resolve this matter.

“There is an arbitration committee which will mediate among those aspiring for various political positions,” he said. 

This was confirmed by Assistant Secretary Tonypet Albano, son of the former ERC chief, who stressed the existence of the said arbitration committee.

With the help of Uy and the Church, Padaca, a political neophyte, defeated then Gov. Faustino Dy Jr., in the 2004 polls, ending the Dys’ hold on the governorship which they had held for more than 30 years. She later won reelection against another Dy scion, former three-term governor Benjamin Dy.