Coop-NATCCO backs Davide, Sanchez

CEBU, Philippines - The Coop-NATCCO party-list has declared support for Liberal Party gubernatorial bet Hilario Davide III and his runningmate Gregorio Sanchez.

In a press conference yesterday, Coop-NATCCO boasted of its 150 primary cooperatives in the province, which reportedly account 250,000 members.

“We consider Jun-Jun Davide as a person who has strong credibility, integrity and also honesty,” said Cresente Paez, the party-list’s representative for the Visayas.

Paez said they also supporting Sanchez because the incumbent vice governor is “very popular” among cooperatives and has been a partner with many of them.

Also present in the press conference were Joseph Durado, chairman of the Cebu Federation of Dairy Cooperative; Reynaldo Gandioco, chairman of NATCCO Network; and Aquilino Revillas of the Central Visayas Federation of Water Cooperatives.

Paez said all their members are aware of the endorsement and the official announcement yesterday would help their members who remain undecided.

Meanwhile, aside from Davide and Sanchez, the party-list is also endorsing LP presidential bet Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and vice presidentiable Manuel “Mar” Roxas. The group is also backing the candidacy of Cebuano senatorial candidates Sergio Osmeña III, Emilio Mario Osmeña, and Regalado Maambong.

Paez said they decided to support Aquino because “he embodies the very principles that cooperativism holds such as democratic governance, transparency and empowerment to the underprivileged.”

Paez also said they appreciate Aquino and Roxas’ campaign for good governance.

In a phone interview, Davide said he is extremely happy with the development, considering that he never sought the group’s support. He said the endorsement of Coop-NATCCO is certainly boost his candidacy and increase his chances of winning.

“Coop has a huge cooperative and I am very thankful for their support,” Davide said.

“With the little resources we have, compared to the other side, and people declaring their support, yes, I’m very confident that we can win this race,” he added.   (FREEMAN NEWS)