By Rigor Zabala

The more than 100,000 Members-Consumers-Owners (MCOs) of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) are coming out in full force to deliver in the May 9 election, a resounding “No!” to the reelection bids of Davao del Norte First District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Governor Edwin Jubahib.

The revenge ‘Nordeco Vote’ is electrified by efforts of Alvarez and Jubahib to cancel the franchise of Nordeco and turn over operation of the 60-year old cooperative to Davao Light and Power Company of power giant Aboitiz Group.

Nordeco and the MCOs vehemently opposed the take-over with a position paper signed by the MCOs against the power grab.

Former House Speaker Alvarez of the opposition party Reporma authored the House bill that would give Davao Light , which already has a franchise covering Davao del Norte’s Second District, the right to operate in the province’s First District. Jubahib was behind a signature campaign calling to disenfranchise Nordeco.

The Nordeco Vote would come as a fatal blow to the reelection bids of Alvarez and Jubahib who are facing opposition from candidates of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) of vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

The reelection of Alvarez, former ally turned foe of President Rodrigo Duterte, is facing an uphill battle against Tristan Aala (HNP); first termer Jubahib is gunning for reelection contested by veteran politician Board member Roy Catalan.