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Dy scion beats Padaca in race for Isabela governor


(Updated 9:53 p.m.) Isabela is back at the hands of the Dy political clan. This was after Faustino "Bojie" Dy III regained his family's reign over the province by defeating re-electionist Governor Grace Padaca in their neck-and-neck battle in last Monday's national and local elections. Based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) official tally released Thursday night, Dy (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) garnered 274,757 votes while Padaca (Liberal Party) got 271,319. Dy, however, has yet to be proclaimed pending the go-signal from the regional election supervisor, Noli Pipo. Provincial election supervisor Manuel Castillo explained that no proclamation can be made unless all the municipalities have transmitted their election results to the provincial canvassers. Castilo said they are still waiting for the election results from Santiago city, an independent city that does not vote for governor and vice-governor. "Kahit na hindi sila bumoboto sa governor (Even if residents there don't vote for governor), Santiago is still part of Isabela. We will wait for a letter that would come from the regional director," he said The camp of Padaca said she is still consulting with her lawyers before making any official announcement.
FINAL SHOWDOWN. Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca (left) once again faces Faustino Dy III, this time not in the Congressional arena but in the gubernatorial derby. AP and Aie Balagtas See
Reprise The 2010 gubernatorial election in Isabela is reminiscent of the 2001 elections when Padaca, a radio commentator critical of the Dy dynasty, first challenged Dy, who was then mayor of Cauayan town. Padaca lost in that elections. Since then, the fight between Padaca and the Dy family has acquired dramatic color, especially in 2004 when she ended the Dy dynasty’s three-decade reign by beating then incumbent governor Faustino Dy Jr. Banking on her promise to reform province's transactional political system, Padaca retained her post in the 2007 polls, defeating Benjamin Dy, brother of Bojie Dy. Reconciliation In an earlier interview, Dy said he would seek reconciliation with Padaca "win or lose in the elections." "Reconciliation ang importante sa lahat para magkaroon ng political stability sa ating probinsya. Whether we win or lose kailangan may political stability, kailangan magkaroon ng reconciliation para naman sa mamamayan sa lalawigan ng Isabela," he said. (Political stability can only be attained through reconciliation. Whether I win or lose, there is a need for reconciliation so that this province will move forward.) Dy further said that he is open to any of Padaca's suggestions in order to better serve the province. "Ang pulitika, 45 days lang yan (political bickering should be over after 45 days)," he said, referring the campaign period given for local election candidates. 'Legacy' Dy, 48, said he wants to make "a legacy in a span of three years." Once he assumes office, Dy plans to first address the province's health care system, which he claimed to have suffered under Padaca's leadership. He also said he would "create a master plan for Isabela" by building roads that would connect its 37 municipalities. Isabela is the second largest province in the country. "In three years kailangan kong ma-reporma ang Isabela kasi wala na akong siguro planong tumakbo pa ulit (I should be able to reform Isabela in three years because I don't intend to seek re-election)," he said. - with Francis Hechanova/KBK, GMANews.TV
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