Comelec expected to proclaim Padaca Monday

By JONATHAN L. MAYUGA
TODAY Reporter


The proclamation of Isabela governor-elect The proclamation of Isabela governor-elect Grace Padaca is expected to push through MOnday after the poll body’s First Division finally lifted on Friday its May 22 temporary restraining order (TRO).


The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division members Commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Virgilio Garcillano signed the resolution lifting the TRO on Friday, while its third member, Rufino Javier, the Division’s presiding member, is expected to sign the order today.


It can be recalled that the Comelec in banc has earlier set aside its own resolution to proclaim Padaca and tossed back the problem to the First Division for it to resolve whether it will lift or stay the May 22 TRO the Division issued.


The lifting of the TRO would pave the way for Padaca’s proclamation by the Provincial Board of Canvassers of Isabela. With no other legal obstacle, Padaca would be proclaimed on Monday, Borra assured.


Borra said unless another TRO surfaces, Padaca would be proclaimed today. He said that Javier earlier gave his assurance that he would sign the resolution.


However, Dy’s lawyer, Pete Quadra, is expected to get another temporary restraining order to stop Padaca’s proclamation today. The Comelec cannot proclaim Padaca if a TRO is issued, he said.


Padaca defeated incumbent Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy, who had been exerting all legal means to stop her proclamation.


Dy earlier filed a disqualification case against Padaca, and then sought for a TRO before the Comelec’s First Division, which issued the order on May 22.


Dy is expected to exert all legal means to prevent Padaca from assuming post on June 30.


Padaca won against Dy by more than 40,000 in the hotly contested election in the province that has been under the control of the Dy clan for more than three decades. The current governor’s father, Faustino Dy Sr., reigned as governor for almost two decades.


Padaca, an accountant and a radio commentator of Bombo Radyo is facing a disqualification case filed by Dy, for alleged terrorism. Dy accused the polio victim of using her contacts in the New People’s Army to terrorize the people of Isabela to boost her campaign and get elected as governor, which charge she denied.


She said it would not be her fault if the NPA supports her candidacy.


Padaca, who relied mostly on the support of farmers and teachers, won heavily despite the absence of a political machinery to back her campaign.


Padaca had lost in the 2001 election when she ran for congress against another Dy

From PDI:

ILAGAN, Isabela -- Winning gubernatorial candidate Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca's political woes will not simply go away despite the Commission on Elections' order lifting the suspension of her proclamation.

This after her rival, Governor Faustino Dy Jr., said he would ask the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order on her proclamation.



Dy, who sought Padaca's disqualification citing her alleged links to the communist New People's Army and use of terrorism to gain votes, said the final decision on who would sit as Isabela provincial governor rests on the Supreme Court.

"The process of law will be up to the Supreme Court. If the SC issues a decision, that will be the final (word on this issue) and we will abide by it," he said.

Dy, who lost to Padaca by 44,292 votes, said he would not concede defeat.

Padaca's supporters started to prepare for a victory bash next week, but she said their celebration would not be complete until she was finally proclaimed as the duly elected governor of Isabela.

"We know the Dys would try to do everything to stop my proclamation . . . I am leaving space for myself to prepare for whatever will happen in this case," she said.

"No matter what the odds are, we should fight and look for truth and justice," she said.

Padaca said they were prepared to face whatever legal action Dy would take.

"I do not know if they can still do it with the way things are going. But we are prepared for the worst. My lawyer said there is no way to delay the lifting of the suspension of proclamation order," she said.

The Comelec's first division admitted that it erred in stopping Padaca's proclamation. Two of the division's three commissioners on Saturday signed a directive lifting the suspension of proclamation order that it issued on May 22.

The Comelec directed the members of the provincial board of canvassers to reconvene and proclaim Padaca as the elected governor.

Padaca said once she assumes leadership, her top priority is to tap "qualified, competent and professional" Isabelinos to help her implement programs that will bring "genuine progress" to the province.

She said Dy should work for a peaceful leadership turnover and help her administration.

"I know it is very hard for them (to accept defeat), especially that they are there for almost 40 years. But they (members of the Dy family) should honor the people's will," she said.

She said the clout of the Dys would still be felt in the province as three brothers of Faustino won in the last elections: Faustino III, Caesar and Napoleon.

i admire this woman...
ive watched her on pipol? well i forgot what late night program is it on abscbn...
she's an intelligent and brave woman...

on the npa issue.. how can a handicapped woman join npa, and for the first place she was a broadcaster, i think that's one factor why people gave their trust in her

I also admire her, That is why I have featured her here!
She is an epitome of woman of grace despite physical handicapped

cool

She is now proclaimed as the new governor of the province

i hope she'll do great

Grace Padaca's victory was a major upset in Isabela Province.

Sometimes people get tired of old family clans, just like what happened in Mon Ilagan a newscaster of ABS-CBN victory .

The mayor and his family had been ruling that City for about 60 years!!!!!

ISSUES/CONCERNS

1. On the price of palay and corn

Fallacy - It was during the administration of Padaca (second semester of 2004) that selling price of palay and corn by farmers had increased. This is attributed to the aggressive procurement of traders from Regions 1,3 & 4. Implying that during the time of the past administration, traders from other regions were banned from buying palay & corn in Isabela, hence, the low selling price of farmers during those times.

Truth - The increased in the selling price of palay & corn by farmers is a market tendency that normally happen because it was also during that period or during the Padaca time (second semester of 2004) when prices of agricultural inputs like seeds, insecticides especially fertilizers had doubled from P450/bag to P850.00 – P1000.00/bag as in the case of Urea. Therefore, whoever is in power starting the second semester of 2004 will experience the rise in the selling price of palay & corn and the buying price of inputs by farmers.

Banning of buyers from Regions 1, 3 & 4 is not true. In fact, their entry was even encouraged by the Dy administration as a means to improve the revenue generation of Local Governments. Traders including those from the other regions have to register and pay the corresponding taxes while they engage in business in any municipalities or cities consistent with the local taxation laws. This is not banning.

2. On the free medicines and medical services

Fallacy – Padaca administration only stopped the free medicine and free medical services but Dy administration shut-off hospitals completely in Isabela.

Truth – The shutting-off of dysfunctional hospitals is inevitable. Maintaining them will only drain the meager resources of the provincial government. More so, it will only be more painful for a kin or relative of the patient to see him/her suffer because of insufficient medicines and doctors’ care and attention. That’s is why the Dys’ administration has enhanced the provincial hospital, started to improve the four (4) District hospital and one (1) hospital in the coastal town of Palanan and equipped them with state of the art medical equipment, thus ensuring a continuous supply of free medicines and round-the-clock services of doctors and paramedical personnel for the immediate healing and recovery of any Isabelino patient at that time all for FREE.

Unfortunately without valid reason from the Padaca administration, these free medicines and medical services were stopped. Isabelinos were deprived of free medicines and medical services. The state of the art medical equipments were not used there was no intention to make full use of them. There was an exodus of medical doctors getting out of the hospitals because they don’t get any incentives. They don’t grow professionally. Medicines became scarce and when it arrives it would usually be late because of too much red tape with the person in-charge of the procurement

Along with the shutting-off of the dysfunctional hospitals was the improvement of roads and the provisions of vehicles to the interior municipalities by the Dy administration to speed up the bringing of patients from their residence to the nearest well equipped hospitals in their district for their FREE treatment.

3. On the absence of free medicines in the hospital

Fallacy – there was no free medicines in the hospitals because the money that is available in the provincial government are being used by the Padaca administration to pay the indebtedness of the past administration.

Truth – The loans of the provincial government initiated by the Dy administration on schools, hospitals and other strategic projects to the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines were covered by an agreement. As a loan, it stipulates the schedules of payments that can last up to twenty (20) years. Once approved and released, any obligations incurred for the implementation of the projects will all be charged to the specific projects in the loan package. Hence, payment of any accounts or obligations will be paid from the loan proceeds.

There is no truth, therefore, that the absence of free medicines in the hospitals is because the yearly (2004-2007 one billion (1B) money coming from the national government in IRA form and the regular budget of Isabela is being used by the Padaca administration to settle the indebtedness of the Dy administration. There is a specific fund to settle the obligations of the previous administration.

That there are no free medicines in the hospitals this is not because the provincial government has no money but because the Padaca administration cannot accept that free medicines and medical services is possible for Isabelinos. A true service for poverty alleviation in Isabela, FREE medicines for Isabelinos.


4. On the insignificant number of projects accomplished

Fallacy – The Padaca administration did not have many projects because the money of the provincial government of Isabela was all used to pay the obligations of the previous administration.

Truth - The amount of money that flowed during the Dy’s administration is the same if not bigger during the Padaca administration. Furthermore, most of the required foundations for more significant projects in the coming years were all set during the Dy administration. All the Padaca administration needs to do is too look at them in a holistic way and to start from thereon. But sad to say, Padaca closed her mind and her heart but used her eyes and settled on undermining & discrediting the truth. Money from the loan proceeds is available to settle whatever balances from the creditors. Hence, it would be a big lie for the Padaca administration to say that her inability to make significant projects is because the provincial coffers was emptied by the payment she made on the indebtedness of the administration of Dy.

The Padaca administration intentionally aborted all impact projects in her two and a half (21/2) year term so she can have the money to provide in form of financial assistance at the guise of good projects through her Ugnayan Bayan just as what is happening at present. Instead of empowering, the Padaca administration is on the business of corrupting the integrity & sanity of Isabelinos to become mendicants because the assistance are not meant to make them self-reliant rather a simple case of bait for an obvious incoming favor.

5. On who is more approachable

Fallacy – Grace Padaca is more approachable than Dy Family who prefers to deal more with elites.

Truth – The “paawa effect” of Grace Padaca had hooked many Isabelinos in believing that she is a people oriented person. BEWARE. That impression is lethal. She can look normal, but she is not. She can say that I don’t but she does. So, how could you deal with such a person? This nature could be the reason why there wasn’t any project done during her stint as HONORABLE GOVERNOR. She is too suspicious and does not trust any one. Although she is very fond of sensationalism. She builds castles in the air with a very insignificant achievement she is able to media hype it. The reason why the capitol is likened to a theater is because pictures displaying piecemeal projects are posted but the Padaca administration has projected them as monumental accomplishments.


THESE ARE SENTIMENTS WE GATHERED FROM THE FIELD THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.

Baka kampo ni DY yung poster na iyan?

It seems that this poster does not like Grace Padaca

Nagsasabi lang po ng totoo. To anyone who can refute the above statements you're welcome to answer.

Gawa ang Nagsasabi ng Totoo

Gaano man katamis at kagandang pakinggan ang banggitin sa salita, gawa at mga numero ang nagsasabi ng totoo. Magkaliwanagan tayo.

Sa panunungkulan ni Gob. Faustino S. Dy, Jr. mula Hulyo ng 2001 hanggang Hunyo ng 2004, 39.798 kilometro ng mga kalsada, sa halagang P153,082,376.02, ang napasementuhan. Nakinabang ang 23 bayan sa pagsesementong ito: ang mga bayan ng Tumauini, Dinapigue, Ilagan, Sta. Maria, Cabagan, Aurora, Gamu, Mallig, Naguilian, Quezon, San Mariano, Roxas, Cauayan City, Angadanan, Cabatuan, Alicia, Luna, Reina Mercedes, San Mateo, Cordon, Jones, San Isidro at Ramon. Sa halos parehong tagal ng panunugkulan ni Gob. Grace M. Padaca mula Hulyo ng 2004 hanggang Disyembre ng 2006, kakarampot na 13.056 kilometro na nga lang ang napasementuhan, ni hindi pa nagdalawang numero, sapagkat pipito, ang mga bayang nabigyan ng “grasya:” Tumauini, Aurora, Quirino, Cauayan City, San Mateo, Angadanan, at San Ramon. Sa larangan pa lang ng pagpapasemento ng mga kalsada, hindi man lang nangalahati ang ginugol na pera ng pamahalaang Padaca na P35,559,785.00 kung ikukumpara sa ginastos ng pamahalaang Dy upang mabigyan ang higit na maraming Isabelino ng maaayos na kalsada.

Dumako tayo sa pagpapatayo ng mga gusaling pampaaralan sa loob ng nabanggit nang tagal ng panunugkulan ng dalawa. Sa pamumuno ni Gob. Dy, 1,128 CL ng gusaling paaralan ang napatayo sa halagang P332,731,114.24. Ilang paaralan ang napatayuan ng mga gusali? Humigit kumulang 400 na paaralan sa 36 na bayan! Walang wala ang tig-iisang paaralang tinulungan sa pamumuno ni Gob. Padaca sa lilimang bayan sapagkat P9,354,984.24 lamang, para sa kabuuan na 27 CL na gusaling pampaaralan, ang ginastos ng kanyang pamahalaan.

Kung titingnan naman an paggawa ng mga tulay, RCBC, at drainage structures sa parehong nabanggit na tagal ng panunungkulan ng dalawa, 824.48 Ln.m ang napagawa sa ilalim ng pamahalaang Dy, na umabot sa halagang P20,681,675.87, kung saan 9 na bayan ang nabiyayaan: Ilagan, Tumauini, Gamu, Quezon, Roxas, Cauayan City, Angadanan, San Agustin, at Dinapigue. Samantalang sa ilalim ng panunungkulan ni Gob. Grace, ilan ang napagawa at ilan ang nabigyang-“grasya?” Wala ni isa!

Panghuli, sa larangan ng pagtatayo ng iba pang pampublikong gusali, tulad ng mga barangay hall, community center, at iba pa, ga-higante ang P217,568,097.52 na inilaan ng pamahalaang Dy kung ihahambing sa P11,131,053.81 na inilaan ng pamahalaang Padaca sa halos parehong haba ng pagsisilbi.

Pinatayunan ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ng Dy na maaaring gumugol ng P724,063,263.65 upang bigyan ang mga Isabelino mula sa iba’t ibang bayan sa buong lawak ng Isabela ng mga kalsada, gusaling pampaaralan, tulay, RCBC, drainage structures, at iba pang pampublikong gusali na kailangan nila upang higit na mabuhay nang matiwasay at maayos.

Samantala, tila may ibang pakay ang pamahalaang Padaca sapagkat kakarampot na P56,045,822.05 lamang ang ginugol nila para sa mahahalagang imprastrukturang pakikinabangan ng mga Isabelino. Baka may ibang pinaggamitan ang pera. Pero, saan kaya?

AN OPEN LETTER TO HER EXCELLENCY GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO,
MARIA GRACIA CIELO PADACA, AND TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA


Don’t concern yourselves too much on the people behind this letter; focus on the message to realize the truth that will confront you. You may deny it or even fight it, but try to understand it in your quiet and honest moment alone, before going to bed at night, and ask God to grant you wisdom to know and see the truth, and be the person that God wants you to be.


We have always thought that Grace Padaca is the person who would change Isabela for the better. With her ideals and expressions of genuine care and concern for her fellow Isabelinos, we believe she would bring new hope and finally lead the people to a more sustainable life. Her goodwill is sincere and we know that she is always willing to employ all means within her reach to make others happy or at least reduce the weight of the people’s load either by lifting some of it or by keeping the light visible at the end of a seemingly dark tunnel. For us, she was selfless and genuinely willing to give all her time and effort for the people. For these reasons we supported her in the 2004 Isabela Elections. We had then decided to give her the chance to convert her good intentions to reality.


Three years had passed and once again, we have proven to ourselves that it is indeed fallacy to think that if we put good people in a bad government, government will naturally change for the good. We realized that indeed, in a sick government, putting good people in carrying out a task, or putting progressive people to carry out a reactionary task, or putting decent people to carry out an indecent task, is merely conscripting talent in aid of mediocrity, conscripting rebels in aid of counterrevolution. Then and again, when you put good people in a bad government, the good people will naturally change for the bad. Grace started with the best of intentions and is now tangled with the worst of contention since the system made her believe that she is the only hope everyone had and thinks that she is more virtuous and benevolent that anyone else.


The Grace that we know is no longer the Grace that we see. Although we sill believe that the system may have changed her, she still has the character and inherent goodness that we saw three years ago. Hence, we are urging her to save herself by keeping her dignity intact by graciously accepting defeat and remain honest and clean not necessarily in the eyes of the Isabelinos, but more importantly in the eyes of God.


Whatever happened to the principled and God fearing Grace Padaca? She now appears on television openly accusing another person as expert in cheating. Is this her way of confirming that she can also fight an indecent battle? That she can now conspire and accept the support and endorsement of another evil just to defeat what she perceives to be a greater evil? That she can now tolerate the suppressing of rights and let corrupt politicians play on people’s weaknesses, fears and hopes as long as it is for her gain? Is this the kind of person she has become?

Have you ever wondered why Albano in District I endorsed your candidacy? You have always pitied the people in District I for their poverty and misery under the Albanos, isn’t it? You have always regarded them to be corrupt traditional politicians preying on your poor and helpless brother and sister farmers, then why is it when Tonypet Albano sponsored a Bamboo concert at the Isabela Sports Complex, Ilagan, Isabela, he invited Chavit Singson, Prospero Pichay and Miguel Zubiri. Chavit and Pichay gave away money, a clear violation of election laws, yet you just turned the other way and pretended nothing happened which just proves that you have already compromised your principles. You were the governor and clearly, your couldn’t protect and prevent the abuse or even tried to do something about it.

The Albanos cheated by vote buying and terrorizing your Apo Isabelinos in the far and deep barangays of Ilagan, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Sta. Maria and Sto. Tomas just to ensure your victory. We now have nineteen (19) Chairmen and members of the Board of Election Inspectors from these municipalities who can prove beyond words the cheating orchestrated in your favor. They are, however, afraid to testify for now, or may never come out in the open for the fear of their lives and of their loved ones. These are simple people who live simple lives, your typical Apo Isabelino who served the election just to bring home a third meal for their families, but were forced to instead pretend dumb, blind and deaf in your favor. They now live in sin being pillars to an injustice and in fear as they are haunted by their guilt. Should they come out in the open? YES, but who can protect them twenty-four hours daily for until nobody knows when?

May it would be great if Grace would visit the Apo Isabelinos in the deep barangays of Sto. Tomas, Sta. Maria, Tumauini, Delfin Albano and Ilagan and ask them herself that her Apo Isabelinos were once again taken advantaged of and exploited by the same corrupt politicians, on this time, in her favor.

Very soon, the lawyers will clash, and Grace had already aired her sentiment to Comelec that as if, the only credible, decent and proper thing for them to do is uphold her unearned victory. She may eventually be proclaimed governor by the Comelec which she accused incompetent and corrupt and will live and lead illegitimately and the people may either look at her with pity and frustration for what she had become or may take action to remove her from office. Or Benjamin Dy will be proclaimed the rightful governor and Grace will leave office as another exemplar of what a corrupt system can transform a good and decent person into a rich and famous ex-politician who claims to be cheated and carries a wounded ego and a damaged soul.

We believe in Grace Padaca’s inherent goodness and we pray that she’ll find it in her heart to uphold the truth and lean to what is just and good. She should let go of hatred and pride, and restore and uphold her dignity. She should never let the corrupt system destroy her, and prove to the people that she could never compromise her goodwill and principle to a political position that no one can hold onto forever. There are more important things in life worth fighting for than to claim something that is no longer rightfully and heavenly yours. If the voice of the people is the voice of God, clearly, Satan orchestrated a major problem with the sound system during the elections. So we appeal to Grace Padaca not to be a pillar to this injustice and not to let herself be an occasion of sin by making a mockery our of God’s will for Isabela!