SAME PROBLEM, SAME PEOPLE: Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chairperson of the Committee on Energy, demands solutions to ensure energy security and self-sufficiency as he leads the probe on the crippling power outage in Panay Island. Tulfo lamented that the blackout in Panay Island that resulted in billions of pesos in economic losses has been a recurring problem committed by the same people in the energy sector. Joseph Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo slammed on Wednesday the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) supposed non-payment of taxes.
Tulfo raised his concern during the Senate committee on energy’s Wednesday hearing on the massive blackout in Western Visayas.
“Di’ba sa ngayon they are not paying taxes?” Tulfo asked, to which Department of Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin said yes.
(Right now they are not paying taxes, right?)
“Lahat ng korporasyon – maging sa gobyerno — nagbabayad ng buwis. At itong NGCP, hindi. What’s so special about NGCP, bakit pinapayagan silang hindi magbayad ng buwis?” Tulfo added.
(All corporations – even in the government — are paying taxes. And this NGCP, they are not. What’s so special about NGCP, why are they allowed not to pay taxes?)
Garin briefly explained that this is due to the franchise granted to the corporation. Tulfo immediately interrupted Garin’s explanation, saying that there’s a pressing need to revisit the 25-year-old NGCP franchise.
“Talagang sobrang kalokohan na ito. Sobrang ini-spoil natin sila. Saan ka na nakita ng korporasyon na kumikita ng limpak limpak na salapi — bilyones at hindi ipinagbabayad ng buwis?” Tulfo said.
(This is really very silly. We spoil them so much. Where have you seen a corporation that makes piles of money–billions perharps–and doesn’t pay taxes?)
READ: Massive power outage on Panay Island prompts Senate probe
“Samantalang ‘yung mga ordinaryong mamamayan [at] mga simpleng empleyado na tumatanggap ng tamang sweldo ay kailangang magbayad ng buwis. Goddamn, mapapamura na lang tayo dito sa ganitong sitwasyon,” he added.
(Meanwhile, ordinary citizens and simple employees who receive a proper salary have to pay taxes. Goddamn, we’ll just curse this situation at this point.)
READ: Power outage hits Panay Island
Legislators earlier slammed NGCP’s supposed lapses that allegedly worsened the massive blackout in Western Visayas. This prompted calls to revoke the corporation’s franchise.
NGCP, however, told reporters on Wednesday that they have faith in the Senate, hoping they will be given time to explain everything in the chamber.
NGCP Spokesperson Leonor Alabanza said they are open for the review of their system, stressing that they only need ample time to explain and be heard.