By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The National Union of Cooperatives (NUC) on Wednesday (Oct. 1) condemned the alleged anomalous multi-billion pesos flood projects.
In a press conference, Fr. Anton CT Pascual, NUC Chairperson, said that they have more than 8,000 primaries, 20,000 cooperatives and 12 million individual members.
The NUC has just been registered in January this year.
Fr. Pascual said “Evil exists because good men do nothing.”
“We believe that Filipinos are not lazy. They only lack the opportunity,” he added.
We are against ayuda. We don’t believe in ayuda system, Fr. Pascual said.
We are against political dynasty and ayuda, he added.
Trust in cooperative is important. Good governance built on faith, Fr. Pascual said.
“Flight is a sign of guilt,” he added, referring to the flight of former Bicol Ako Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.
The primary goal of NUC is integrity, which is composed of 8,000 cooperatives and 12 million members nationwide.
“Corruption is destroying the growth of cooperatives even directly,” Fr. Pascual said.
He added that the cooperatives contribute 5% in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
“Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy. Power corrupts and corrupts absolutely. Corruption is already decades old and it cannot be easily eliminated,” Fr. Pascual said.
“The NUC is willing to be a watchdog to protect the Filipino,” he added.
Fr. Pascual is also pushing for agrientrepreneur for the youth.
“The best way to institute change is through the power of the vote. There is now a massive crusade for the 2028 national and presidential elections,” Fr. Pascual said.
“The DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) of cooperative is cooperation and collaboration,” he added.
The NUC’s 42 unions and federations demanded a thorough investigation into the misuse of public funds at both national and local levels.
They urged a recovery of stolen wealth such that justice requires the return of all stolen funds.
The NUC called for a lifetime ban on corrupt officials and contractors in the sense that those who betray public trust should never again hold public office or government contracts.
They demanded transparency in government bidding so much so that all government bidding must be open to public scrutiny.
The NUC urged protection for whistleblowers such that corruption is often exposed by brave insiders.
They called for accountability for auditors in the sense that agencies like COA (Commission on Audit) and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) cannot certify ghost projects without consequence.
They demanded rehabilitation of oversight institutions so much so that the Ombudsman and the COA must be reformed to ensure integrity, impartiality, and effectiveness.
The NUC urged to limit the lawmakers’ role in investigations such that the legislators implicated in questionable projects must recuse themselves from inquiries.
They called for reform of “ayuda” programs in the sense that assistance should not be controlled by legislators for political gain.
They demanded the passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Law so much so that dynasties strangle democracy and silence marginalized voices.
The NUC urged to reform the Party-List System such that the framers of the 1987 Constitution designed it for marginalized groups.
They called for recognition of good governance in the sense that leaders who exemplify transparency and service should be recognized and supported.
The cooperatives pledge of commitment was cited by the NUC.
Dr. Garibaldi O. Leonardo, Chairperson of the Philippine Central Fund Federation, said that if the P1.3 Trillion could have been used for the benefit of 2.5 million Filipino families instead of ending up in corruption and anomaly.
Dr. Leonardo added that the anomaly in the P1.3 Trillion is bound to affect the Filipinos in the threshold level of P5,000 per family according to NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority).
He stressed that one of the aspects of the power of cooperativism is the integrated financial system.
Annabelle S. Espino said that guilty individuals in the corruption charges should be held accountable.
Sheila O. Fernandez said that the cooperatives are against corruption and will fight against it.
Director Zenaida A. Alcantara expressed the belief that the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) is credible and transparent.
The whole month of October is the National Cooperative Month.
The National Cooperative Summit will be held on Oct. 9-10, 2025 in Hotel Supreme in Baguio City and 2,000 delegates coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are expected to attend.
The NUC is also promoting an Integrated Media Cooperative, including the news and entertainment industry, for self help.
Fr. Pascual cited the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation which has 23 Billion Euros in assets, which is already equivalent to Trillions of pesos.
He stressed that the NUC is geared towards cooperative economy through shared economy.
Fr. Pascual pointed out that the NUC is helping the democratic institutions such as the Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary. ###
