Friday, January 25, 2008 Del Rosario welcomes 'White Hair' for governor By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario welcomed reports that Don Antonio "White Hair" Floirendo Sr. would be running as governor in 2010, as reported by a local newspaper in Tagum City Wednesday.
If indeed the grand patriarch of the Floirendo clan is running then his candidacy must be "uncontested," del Rosario said.
Del Rosario belongs to the Floirendo clan as Floirendo's wife, Nenita, is the sister of the governor.
"I welcome the coming of the old man and he deserves to run uncontested. He deserves the respect of everyone," del Rosario said.
The governor added though that it does not mean that he will be backing out of the race if ever. He did not elaborate further.
The local paper, Tagum Periodico, quoted White Hair as saying that come 2010, if need be, he will run for governor "para ubusin ang mga del Rosario (to finish off all Del Rosarios)."
The old man, responsible for the transformation of Tadeco into one of the biggest banana producing companies in the country, was rumored to be angry at the governor for the latter's decision to move out of Tadeco and start his own banana company.
Del Rosario said though that the rift between the del Rosarios and the Floirendos has already been settled and that he is in speaking terms with White Hair. A Floirendo confidante however denied this. The confidante said the old man is very angry.
Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao showed that del Rosario received more than P500 million from his shares and stocks in Tadeco when he retired.
Among these properties were said to be the P120 million mansion in Marapangi, Toril and the Tropical Fresh Fruits (Tropical) which is now being run by the del Rosarios.
Del Rosario however said he started Tropical in 2004 using his own money and with the blessing of Floirendo. He said he created the company to help the small farmers sell their products by providing technical assistance.
He admitted that Tropical was being helped by Tadeco in their business but maintained that his company is separate from Tadeco.
Asked if he is competing with Tadeco, del Rosario said there is no competition at all among banana companies since there is enough market for all of them. He revealed that the banana industry in the world is rapidly growing especially with the opening of the Russian market.
In fact, he said, due to the growing demand in the market more and more lands in Davao del Norte are being converted into banana plantations. It was learned that around 50,000 hectares are already planted with bananas all over Mindanao with majority of it located in Davao del Norte. Tropical has only about 200 hectares.
