Padaca hits LP’s alliance with Dys of Isabela

Daang Matuwid “original” Grace Padaca criticized her former colleagues in the Liberal Party (LP) for forging an alliance with Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III, who belongs to a political family whom she accused of being unable to adopt the reform agenda of the Aquino administration.

Padaca who won a term as governor against a member of the Dy clan attributed her previous election victory to the failure of her rivals to institute a clean governance policy during their long reign in Isabela.

She aired her misgivings over the LP decision to ally with the Dys during an interview with reporters at the Sandiganbayan where she was scheduled for arraignment on the allegation that she failed to file her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

The LP and the Dy family who heads the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Isabela province have forged an alliance where the influential political clan pledged to support LP standard bearer Mar Roxas in 2016.

Padaca, who was appointed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) by President Aquino after her term lamented that LP had allied itself with the governor’s family whom she claimed to ignore the Tuwid na Daan anti-corruption program of the President.

“My only question is the ease by which they could ally with people who are not known to be Daang Matuwid,” Padaca responded when asked by newsmen if she felt being abandoned by Aquino.

She recalled that Roxas was in Isabela late October to distribute relief goods to victims of typhoon “Lando.”

According to the former Comelec official, it was during Roxas’ visit that he was endorsed by Dy.

The governor’s endorsement of Dy is seen as one of the reasons why the NPC has not yet officially endorsed the candidacy of Senator Grace Poe although other party officials in the province are all for the lady senator.

NPC president and Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao has dropped hints he was backing Poe. Another NPC official, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian has filed a leave as party spokesman to be Poe’s full time mouthpiece.

Padaca said political developments in her province had convinced her that she can no longer expect any help from the LP in her present case.

“Frankly, I do not expect it,” Padaca said, admitting she is no longer a member of LP.

In 2013, President Aquino paid for Padaca’s bail over a malversation and graft case involving an alleged anomalous loan to farmers. Padaca’s appointment was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments in 2014.

Padaca said the bail paid for by her friend Aquino was actually cancelled and is now out on bail still in the graft case using her own money.

The Office of the Ombudsman accused Padaca of violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which require public officials to declare a truthful statement of their wealth, liabilities, properties, and business interests.

The Isabela provincial government supposedly only had on file Padaca’s 2004 and 2006 SALN. (Ben R. Rosario)