Dys, Albanos running to retain political clout in Isabela
CAUAYAN CITY—To keep their political clout in Isabela, major families like the Dys and the Albanos are relying on clan-dominated candidates to win in the May 13 midterm elections.
The Dys’ political battle is frontlined by incumbent Gov. Faustino Dy III (Nationalist People’s Coalition), who is seeking another term. He is teamed up with former RPN-9 chief executive officer Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who is running for vice governor.
Dy had previously tangled with former Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca, who is now a Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner. He is facing another Padaca, Mario Angelo, Grace’s older brother and a losing candidate for village chief in Cauayan City in the 2010 barangay elections.
Dy and Padaca are competing for the post with real property developer Glorietta Almazan of San Isidro town.
The governor’s son, Rep. Napoleon Dy, is also running for reelection in the third district against former Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes.
Family members in the race include reelectionist San Manuel Mayor Faustino Carlos Michael Dy; unopposed Cauayan City mayoral candidate Bernard Faustino Dy; Vice Mayor Ian Paul Dy, who is running for mayor against incumbent Alicia Mayor Cecilia Claire Reyes; and Faustino “Dondon” Dy IV, who is seeking a seat in the provincial board.
The Albanos have fielded family members, starting with Rep. Rodolfo Albano Jr. who is running for mayor of Cabagan town. His running mate is his son-in-law, incumbent Mayor Christopher Mamauag.
Vice Gov. Rodolfo Albano III is running for representative of the first district.
The Go family has staked a place in Isabela’s political environment with four relatives seeking various posts: Rep. Ana Cristina Go, who is seeking reelection in the second district; San Mariano Mayor Edgar Go, who is sliding down to vice mayor; and their sons Ed Christopher (for provincial board) and Ed Christian (for San Mariano town council).
It has been a family affair for the Cumigad family, too, in the midterm polls. Provincial Board Member Mitzi Cumigad is running for Gamu mayor with her father, Mayor Fernando Cumigad, as running mate. Her sister, Minette Cumigad, is hoping to grab a seat as board member of the second district. Mayor Cumigad’s wife, Marilou, is running for vice governor.
“This is politics in the province. The people push for the bets they would like to vote for even though they belong to the same family,” said lawyer Silvestre Bello III, first nominee of 1BAP party list. His son, Kyrille, is running for reelection as board member.
Comelec records show that Cagayan politics is also a family affair.
Gov. Alvaro Antonio of the United Nationalist Alliance is seeking reelection against Tuao Mayor William Mamba of the Liberal Party.
Antonio’s daughter, Criselda, is running unopposed for mayor of Alcala town. Criselda’s running mate, Marjo Te, is also running unopposed.
The Vargas clan, which used to be Cagayan’s most influential family, is fielding reelectionist Rep. Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, who is unopposed in the second district; Manny Vargas for mayor of Abulug town, and his wife, Precy, who is unopposed for vice mayor in the same town.
Former Gov. Melvin Vargas Sr. is running for vice governor against incumbent Vice Gov. Leonides Fausto.
In Enrile town, Mayor Robert Turingan is running for vice mayor while his daughter, Kim, is running for mayor. Turingan’s other daughter, Karen Kaye, is seeking a seat in the provincial board.
It Iguig town, Judith Trinidad is seeking the mayoralty with her husband, incumbent Mayor Ferdinand Trinidad, as running mate.
In Ballesteros town, Mayor Violeta Unite is running for reelection with her husband, Vincent, as running mate. In Peñablanca town, reelectionist Mayor Marilyn JuliaTaguinod is running with her husband, Board Member Washington Taguinod, as her vice mayor.