Draft:Ricarte R. Padilla

GOVERNOR RICARTE R. PADILLA
Ricarte R. Padilla, as he would like to be called "Dong" or "Kuya Dong" is a former mayor of the Municipality of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte. During his incumbency as a Mayor, he won awards for Jose Panganiban as the municipality progressed with great results distinguished through COA's annual audits.

Governor Dong came from a family of politicians with his mother being a municipal councilor and his father, the former governor of Camarines Norte. During his inaugural speech in 2013, he believed unity in principle, purpose, and goal can turn a municipality into its success and glory as long as it is run with virtues such as honesty, justice, and righteousness. Dong is also a religious person, with his mantra of Alay sa Diyos, at sa Bayan during his tenure, was surely very providential completing three consecutive terms as the mayor of Jose Panganiban from 2010 to 2019. Governor Dong did try to run for a higher position in the 2019 Elections as Vice Governor of under the National Unity Party (NUP) but lost to Hon. Jonah Pimentel of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLBN).

During the 2022 National Election when he ran for the Gubernatorial position, he used his acquired values to serve his constituents which the people of Camarines Norte observed and impacted their way of thinking, he gained the people's trust. Even with very limited funds and resources on his end, and unexpected odds, he was able to win the election and was hailed the new Governor of Camarines Norte.

Carrying the mantra Alay sa Diyos, Alay sa Bayan, the governor continues to bring forth change to the province. He has shared his views and plans for Camarines Norte to be one of the First Class Provinces in the Bicol Region. His principles include improving the healthcare system, ensuring at least one member of each family in Camarines Norte was able to graduate from college, rehabilitating infrastructures such as the Sea Port, Airport, and more, helping local farmers and providing the people with employment. His constituents viewed Governor Dong to be the primary factor in the development and progress of Camarines Norte earning the people's trust and respect.

POLITICAL CAREER

 * 2010-2019 Mayor of the Municipality of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
 * 2019 – ran for Vice Governor of Camarines Norte (unsuccessful)
 * 2022- present Governor of Camarines Norte

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS

 * 2024 Bicol Regional Development Council (NEDA)-Chairman
 * 2023 SGLG Awardee- Seal of Good Local Governance (DILG)
 * 2023 Good Financial Housekeeping Passers (DILG)
 * 2019 Good Financial Housekeeping Passers (Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte)
 * 2018 Good Financial Housekeeping Passer (Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte)
 * 2014- Most Outstanding Mayor 2014 from Superbrands Marketing International Inc. (SMIPHIL)

PERSONAL LIFE
Ricarte R. Padilla was born on June 1, 1965, in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, and is the youngest son of the late Governor Roy B. Padilla, Sr. and former Municipal Councilor Carmelita Robledo Padilla.

Along with his other brothers and sisters, he is also the brother of Senator Robin Padilla, and former Governor of Camarines Norte, Honorable Roy A. Padilla Jr. Despite having a huge family, the whole Padilla clan gets along very well and are close with each other.

Governor Dong is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from the Philippine Maritime Institute, he became a seafarer and was able to travel to different countries before he built his own pharmaceutical company, the FAMED Group of Companies, from his own savings working for years at sea.

He is a father of three wonderful kids and a loving husband to his beautiful and loving wife, Shenet. During the days that he doesn't have to go to work or has no scheduled meetings, he spends most of his time with his family.