"ATING–KOOP PARTY LIST APPROVED"

by: Atty. Proculo Sarmen

Finally, the COMELEC approved the application for the registration of the ATING-KOOP Party List to become one of the partylist vying for a congressional seat in the Party List System of Representation of the 15th Congress this coming May 2010 National Election. The First Division of the COMELEC in its 12-page Resolution SPP No. 09-030 (PL), dated November 13, 2009, unanimously granted the petition and approved the Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (Ating-Koop) Party List as a national sectoral organization that represents cooperative sector and its members, majority of whom form part of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of the society. Thus, paving the advocacy of the ATING-KOOP Party List for good governance and genuine reforms in the enactment of laws, rules and regulations that are reflective and representative of the true spirit of cooperativism.

It must be recalled that the petition for the registration of the ATING-KOOP Party List has met strong opposition coming from other party list that represents also the sector of the cooperative. However, the voluminous evidence submitted by the ATING-KOOP Party List has convinced the COMELEC of the party list’s track record in the cultivation of the cooperative movement. The Verification Reports submitted by the COMELEC’s Field Officials has proved that ATING-KOOP Party List is present in majority of regions of the country, lending credence to its ability to wage a legitimate campaign. Hence, the COMELEC found no reason why ATING-KOOP Party List would not be able to contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as whole.

With the ATING-KOOP Party List advocacies of: creation of a large middle class through cooperatives and social entrepreneurship; sustainable development aimed at eradicating poverty and unjust social structures, preserving the environment, and equitable distribution of wealth through people empowerment; democratic participation by the grassroots under the principle of subsidiarity and mutual interdependence; respect for our diverse culture and religions; and, peace and harmony as the foundation of development, the uphill battle now begins.

With the coming of May 2010 National Election, the ATING-KOOP National Committee is calling all the members of the FICCO and PFCCO family, as well as other cooperative who share the same values and advocacies of ATING-KOOP to go out and vote ATING-KOOP Party List in our ballots. Our combined votes can greatly spell the difference of our dream of good governance and genuine reforms in the enactment of laws, rules and regulations that are reflective and representative of the true spirit of cooperativism.

Mabuhay and ATING-KOOP Party List!