Notwithstanding the tirades thrown by her own grandfather following her State of the Province Address, La Union Gov. Rafy Ortega has decided to maintain her composure and avoid further stoking the fire that might trigger a family feud that will end in a political confrontation next year.

Vice Gov. Mario Ortega unleashed a fierce verbal attack against his granddaughter immediately after she ended her speech delivered at the provincial capitol.

He accused his son’s daughter of demonstrating arrogance and being drunk with power, saying that she still has much to learn as leader of the province.

While many speculated that the incident gave La Union folk a preview of what to expect in the next gubernatorial race, the incumbent governor dismissed the confrontation as a mere misunderstanding.

However, Ortega-David insisted that she resisted a public debate with her grandfather, stressing that her report is based on facts and is on solid legal grounds.

She accused the provincial board, headed by the elderly Ortega, of refusing to act on her administration proposal to pass supplemental budget measure.

Her accusations had apparently infuriated the vice governor who rose swiftly after the chief provincial executive ended her SOPA. He publicly berated the governor, an act that was streamed live on Facebook.

Local political observers noted that there is the strong possibility that the vice governor will attempt to unseat his granddaughter next year and team up with former Aringay Mayor Sibuma as his runningmate.

The governor is the daughter of former Gov. Pakoy Ortega, son of the incumbent vice governor.