MANILA, Philippines -- The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Thursday denied allegations it offered Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Jose Sabio Jr. a P10-million bribe to inhibit himself from a case the company filed against an attempted takeover by Government Service Insurance System general manager Winston Garcia.

In a brief statement on Thursday, Elpi Cuna Jr., vice president for corporate communications, said the company “vehemently denies the statement reportedly made by Sabio.”

“The statement of Sabio is a very grave accusation. Meralco does not engage in such illegal practices. Never has and never will,” Cuna added.

As of posting time, the appellate court justices are in executive session to resolve the bribery allegations.

Sabio and fellow Justice Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal, of the court’s 9th division, had protested what they called the “fishy circumstances” surrounding the issuance by the 8th division of a ruling voiding a cease and desist order form the Securities and Exchange Commission against the May 27 elections of Meralco’s board of directors.

The two justices questioned another division had issued the ruling when it was the 9th division that heard the case.

Cuna said Meralco is hoping “the issue will not deviate from the merits of the case.”