Editing Raul Roco (section)

==Candidacy for President==
===1998===

Roco ran for president in the [[1998 Philippine presidential election|1998 Philippine election]]. He lost to Vice-President [[Joseph Estrada]] but had a remarkable showing in a field of eleven candidates despite being an independent candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samonte |first=Severino |date=May 18, 2022 |title=‘98, ‘22 general elections had 10 presidential candidates each |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1174735 |work=[[Philippine News Agency]]}}</ref> His strong showing was attributed to the widespread support he received from young Filipinos who eventually formed his party, [[Aksyon Demokratiko]], and its youth arm, Aksyon Kabataan. Party leaders then included Jaime Galvez Tan, [[Lorna Kapunan|Lorna Patajo-Kapunan]] and Darwin Mariano.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benigno |first=Teodoro C. |date=August 5, 2002 |title=The Roco factor |url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2002/08/05/170853/roco-factor |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Crisostomo |first=Sheila |date=August 6, 2005 |title=Roco succumbs to cancer; 63 |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2005/08/06/290072/roco-succumbs-cancer-63 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> 

===2004===
[[File:Iconic red floral polo of late DepEd Secretary Raul Roco.jpg|thumb|right|An iconic red floral polo of late DepEd Secretary Raul Roco worn during his campaigns]]
Roco rode his success in the Department of Education into a [[Raul Roco 2004 presidential campaign|run for the Philippine presidency]] in [[2004 Philippine presidential election|2004]]. His candidacy was based on his ability to fight corruption and to display fair play, decency, and honor. His Aksyon Demokratiko party formed a coalition with [[PROMDI|Promdi]] and [[Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma|Reporma]], the parties of 1998 presidential candidates [[Lito Osmeña]] and [[Renato de Villa|Rene de Villa]], to form the ''[[Alyansa ng Pag-asa]]'' (Alliance of Hope).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crisostomo |first=Sheila |date=November 25, 2003 |title=New alliance boosts Roco’s 2004 poll bid |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2003/11/25/229168/new-alliance-boosts-roco146s-2004-poll-bid |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

Roco was a front-runner in pre-election surveys and was considered a strong contender. However, during the campaign, he battled with recurrence of his cancer, after remission from his bout with [[prostate cancer]] in 1996. His illness forced him to leave the campaign trail for medical attention in the [[United States]]. Doctors told him that his condition was not life-threatening and that he could continue his run for the presidency. He returned to the campaign trail, but concerns about his illness greatly diminished his support.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Crisostomo |first=Sheila |last2=Araneta |first2=Sandy |date=April 29, 2004 |title=Roco not backing out of race |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2004/04/29/248047/roco-not-backing-out-race |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2004 |title=Roco balik na,pero alyansa basag na |url=https://www.philstar.com/bansa/2004/04/29/248113/roco-balik-napero-alyansa-basag-na |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

He [[2004 Philippine presidential election|lost the election]] to the [[incumbent]], [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]], and finished fourth in a field of 5 candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crisostomo |first=Sheila |date=May 18, 2004 |title=Roco concedes to GMA |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2004/05/18/250414/roco-concedes-gma |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

He was the President of Aksyon Demokratiko until his death.