By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.
(Published in its print edition on May 24 – 30, 2025)
DON’T look now but the political landscape in Isabela has hardly changed after the May 12,2025 elections—the most-enduring political clans of the Dys and the Albanos are here to stay.
Take a look at the outcome of the elections: Incumbent Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III, the province’s standard bearer of the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, ran unopposed for a third term.
Surprisingly, his opponents who filed their candidacies, such as Edgardo Edralin, Emmanuel Pua, Gloria Almazan, and Manuel Siquian were all declared nuisance candidates. Whatever the basis of the Commission on Elections in delisting them still baffles the minds of many people in the province.
The governor’s brother, incumbent Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano was reelected for his third consecutive term.
Their sister, Milet Albano-Mamauag won unopposed as mayor in Cabagan to replace her husband, three-term Mayor Christopher Mamauag.
Another Albano, Bic-bic, won a seat at the Ilagan City council.
Then the Dys are here to stay. Incumbent Vice Governor Faustino Dy III, also of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, was unopposed for the House of Representatives in Isabela’s 6th legislative district. He will replace his son, Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy V. He was re-elected as vice governor under PDP–Laban unopposed in 2022.
Inno Dy was unopposed as Echague mayor, replacing his brother, Francis Faustino “Kiko” Dy. Kiko ran and proclaimed unopposed for vice governor with 566,489 votes.
Other Dys who won include Cauayan City Mayor Caesar “Jaycee” Dy, 3rd District Rep. Ian Dy, Manuel “King” Dy as board member, and Faustino “Dondon” Dy IV as San Manuel mayor. The Dys who lost include Ben-ben Dy who lost to Charlton Uy in Cabatuan town and incumbent board member Victor Dy who lost to Florence Zuniega in Cordon town.
The Go family in San Mariano also lorded over the elections with former Rep. Ana Cristina Go as mayor, incumbent Mayor Edgar Go as vice mayor, 2nd District Rep. Ed Christopher Go, and 2nd District Board Member Ed Christian Go as winners. The Diaz family also won posts with Mayor Josemarie Diaz and son Jayve as mayor and vice mayor, respectively. The mayor’s other son, Ejay Diaz also won a seat at the provincial board’s first district.#
