Dy beats Padaca by over 3,000 votes

ILAGAN, Isabela , Philippines  – After two unsuccessful attempts, the still influential Dy family finally regained the governorship from Gov. Grace Padaca, who had taken over the reins of the province in 2004 after more than three decades of the clan’s gubernatorial rule.

Three-term Rep. Faustino Dy III was proclaimed by the provincial board of canvassers as the duly elected governor of the country’s third-largest province Thursday night, as he got 274,557 votes against Padaca’s 271,319 votes or a difference of 3,438.

“Let’s now leave politics behind. We wish to focus now our efforts on what is best for the province,” Dy said.

 In an emotion-filled press conference yesterday, Padaca did not categorically concede defeat to Dy nor did she appear to accept the new administration’s “peace and reconciliation” thrust.

“Concede? That’s water under the bridge now… Reconciliation? They should not make peace with me. They should make peace with the Apo Isabelinos whom they have wronged,” Padaca said while trying to hold back tears.

Padaca, who conducted the press conference at the governor’s guesthouse adjacent to the capitol building where Dy was proclaimed hours earlier, was accompanied by some political allies, including outgoing Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes and third-term second district Rep. Edwin Uy.

Uy, Padaca’s running mate, lost to Dy’s bet, outgoing first district Rep. Rodito Albano, who obtained 303,421 votes against Uy’s 219,146 votes.

“During the campaign, I had the feeling that I would not make it this time because who could win against their massive vote buying, black propaganda and terrorism… I weep for Isabela,” said Padaca, clad in a yellow T-shirt and still sporting Aquino-Roxas ballers.

Padaca described Dy as “not the most formidable opponent among the Dy brothers, (nor) the most popular and most capable, but they are at their most desperate to win the elections.”

“Six years is too long for them to be out of the capitol and they could not afford three more years. We would have totally freed our province from their transactional, traditional way of politics and everything it represents (had) we defeated the Dy and Albano dynasties,” she said.

For his part though, Dy said, “This is no longer about our family. This is a victory for the province and all Isabelinos who have been deprived of quality services for the past six years of inept leadership.”

“We have been deprived of basic services during (Padaca’s) term. There has been no tangible economic development for the last six years. (Padaca) grossly wronged the people,” Dy added.