Family feuds spill into poll races in provinces

CITY OF ILAGAN — Third generation members of the politically influential Dy clan filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for Isabela governor, challenging their uncle, Rep. Napoleon Dy, who was bent on taking the capitol in next year’s elections.

Benjamin Carlo Dy and Mark Ryan Dy, sons of the late Gov. Benjamin Dy, filed their COCs as independent candidates 15 minutes before the Commission on Elections closed its doors at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Benjamin is the brother of Napoleon Dy and Faustino Dy III, the incumbent governor who is running for vice governor.

The two young Dys did not explain why they were competing against each other and their uncle Napoleon, who broke ties last week with Faustino III whom he accused of mismanaging a major road project in the province. Faustino III had denied the charge.

Napoleon also joined an alliance of politicians that included another brother, Faustino Dy Jr., and former Gov. Grace Padaca, who broke the Dy clan’s decades-long hold over the capitol when she beat Faustino Jr. in the 2004 elections. Padaca beat Benjamin in 2007 but the latter won a recount at the end of her term.

Padaca is now running for vice governor against Faustino III.

The older Dy brothers are sons Faustino Dy Sr., who governed Isabela from 1970 to 1992 and who was mayor of what was then Cauayan town from 1965 to 1969.

Napoleon and Faustino Jr. are sons of Erlinda Sanchez Dy, while Faustino III and Benjamin are sons of Natividad de Guzman Dy.

Although Faustino Jr. is not seeking any Isabela post this time, other members of the clan have thrown their hats into various local races.

Nephew vs aunt

Incumbent Alicia Mayor Ian Paul Dy, a son of Napoleon, is seeking the province’s third congressional district seat, while San Manuel Mayor Faustino Michael Dy, Faustino Jr.’s son, is running for the fifth congressional district seat.

Faustino Dy V, national president of the barangay league and son of Faustino III, is running for the newly created sixth congressional district post.

In Cauayan City, Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy, Benjamin’s son, is seeking a third term and will compete against his aunt, Norma Dy-Valcos, sister of Napoleon and Faustino Jr.

Rep. Rodolfo Albano III (first district), who is allied with Faustino III, is running for governor not only against Napoleon Dy but also against a candidate with the same surname—Jose Albano Jr. The two Albanos are running under the administration party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.

Mangudadatus clash

In Maguindanao province, the governor’s post is being contested by two members of the Mangudadatu family. Mayor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Datu Abdulla Sangki town is running against Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town.

Mariam, a Nacionalista Party candidate, is the wife of Sultan Kudarat Rep. Suharto Mangudadatu, a cousin of Freddie, the candidate of PDP-Laban. Freddie’s father, Puwa, and Suhartos’ father, Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu, are first cousins.

Freddie is seeking the post vacated by his brother, Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who is running for the second congressional district seat. Esmael is seeking the post left by his brother, Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, who is running for senator.

“I will work for reconciliation among our warring families… When everyone is united, there would be peace; when there is peace then there would be development,” Mariam said in a statement.

Garin faces husband, in-law

In Iloilo City, former Health Secretary Janette Garin is part of a four-cornered congressional fight involving family members. She filed her candidacy for the first congressional district under the NP.

The post is also being sought by her husband, incumbent Rep. Oscar Garin; father-in-law, Oscar Sr., who is mayor of Guimbal town; and a retired Army soldier, Gerardo Flores.

Janette was embroiled in the controversy involving the purchase of the antidengue Dengvaxia vaccines when she served as health secretary under the Aquino administration.

Richard and Oscar Sr. supported then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 presidential election in the Garins’ hometown of Guimbal, where Mr. Duterte won by one vote. —REPORTS FROM VILLAMOR VISAYA JR., EDWIN FERNANDEZ AND JOEL FRANCO