Grace
M. Padaca
Maria Gracia Ceilo “Grace”
Magno Padaca is a 48-year old Isabelan politician. Grace, who uses clutches to
walk, is the former governor of the
Province of Isabela. She is also known as “Bombo Grace” since she worked as a
broadcast journalist before joining politics. She received the International Women
of Courage from former United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney and the Ramon
Magsaysay Award for Government Service. She is famous for running against
politicians in the province who come from known political families.
Earlier Life
Grace Padaca was born on
October 25, 1963 to Bernardo and Amelia Padaca. Her father was a Public Schools
District supervisor while her mother was a teacher. When she was young, she
suffered from polio that affected her legs.
Her physical condition did not dishearten
her to excel in school. She graduated in elementary at Caugayan South Central
School in 1976. In 1980, she finished high school at Our Lady of the Pillar Institution
in Cauayan, Isabela. She was a valedictorian
when she finished elementary and high school.
She took up Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration Major in Accountancy in 1984 at the Lyceum of the Philippines in
Manila. She graduated Magna Cum Laude.
With a rating of 81. 29%, she passed the 1985 Certified Public Accountants
examination.
She took an accounting job at
Bombo Radyo Philippines DZNC in Cauayan, Isabela, a radio station known for
hard-hitting criticisms. She then became a broadcast journalist at the same station
where she established herself as “Bombo Grace”. From 1986 to 2000, she hosted
programs and even promoted to be the assistant station manager of the institution.
Grace was appointed to the
Regional and Overseas Coordinating Office under the Office of the Chairman
Celso Gangan in December 1, 1999. She became a senior auditor of the Commission
on Audit from February 16, 2000 to 2001. She was assigned at the Government Service
Insurance System- Cauayan, Isabela.
Political
Career
Grace Padaca resigned from her auditing
job to join politics. In 2001, she ran for Congress. However, she lost to
Faustino “Bojie” Dy III by 48 votes. Dy is a known politician in the province
of Isabela and has been in politics for how many years.
The election was bathed with
controversies like post election irregularities and a problem with voters who
wrote “Grace” in their ballots instead of “Bombo Grace” or “Gracia”. The tentative tally showed that Grace lost by
1,285 votes, contrary to the final counting. The case was resolved after two
and a half years.
From 2003-2004, she worked as
an Accountant for the Hacienda Bigaa in Calatagan, Batangas in the Philippines.
In 2004, Grace made a come back. She ran again but for Governor and won. Her
opponent was her former rival, with over 44,000 lead votes.
As a governor, two-thirds of
the province’s huge debt was paid off. She started a program that subsidized
rice and corn farmers. The program benefited farmers in agri-business for new
infrastructure funds and better medical
coverages. She increased budgets for education and reforestation. Her campaign
against illegal logging became a successful one, with overwhelming support from
known bodies.
As a former media man, Grace
instituted a regular “People’s Ugnayan” to update all her consitutents in 36
towns.
She reigned as governor for
three terms. In the 2007 elections, her former workplace Bombo Radyo was
demanded by the Commission on Elections to go off air. She was charged for using terrorist tactics to
ask the voting public to choose her. In 2008, she joined the Kaya Natin group
to help change the Philippines’ deteriorating political arena.
She was remarked for
microenterprise developments. She has been vocal also in supporting the Roman Catholic Church’s
anti-jueting advocacy.
In 2010, she was defeated by
her former rival Bonie Dy, with a margin of 3, 438 votes. During that election,
most of her allies have also lost in the race.
Recognition
1992 and 1999-Ten Outsanding
Young Men/ Women nominee
1993- Anchorperson of the Year
from Bombo Radyo Philippines
2004- 2004 Woman of the Year
from Kilosbayan
2004- People of the Year from
People Magazine
2005- First CEO Excel Award from the International Association of
Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines
2006- Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Felloweships
for Professional Development
2007- International Women of
Courage Award
2008- Ramon Magsaysay Award
Parangal Para sa Mararangal
(PPSM) from Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng
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