Probe of Meralco ‘midnight’ deals pushed
‘yung ganitong klaseng relasyon (If this is how Meralco shows its relationship).”
This was how Sanlakas Secretary Aaron Pedrosa portrayed Manila Electric Co. in an interview last August 10 regarding a campaign against power supply agreements ( PSAs) between Meralco and seven power generating companies.
The campaign, dubbed as “NAGMAMAHAL, MERALCO,” seeks to contest so-called “sweet power plants that are in fact sister companies of Meralco, Pedrosa claimed.
Last month, civil society organizations and consumers under the Power for People Coalition said the deals would lock consumers into paying higher electricity rates over the next two decades.
The coalition believes the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) gave undue advantage to Meralco, particularly when it approved agreements that were submitted after a 5 p.m. applications.
Pedrosa said they plan to mobilize consumers, homeowners and sectors within the 111 municipalities and cities under the Meralco the franchise area. The coalition will also turn to legal remedies.
Through a congressional inquiry, the group wants legislators to determine if the company violated provisions in its franchise.
In a text message, Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga line with ERC rules and with the objective of ensuring adequate, - ply at the least possible cost to customers.
Zaldarriaga said Meralco had similar agreements with non - legations against it were not only misleading but devoid of factual basis.
He said the company had already adequately explained the issue in a congressional hearing last month.
Last week, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber - posed “midnight” given an ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate energy committee, said the would monitor the House probe and only take up the inquiry if warranted. Congress is coordinating with the ERC on the matter, he added.