Solon questions evidence vs Meralco in franchise hearing

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has questioned the evidence raised against Manila Electric Corporation (Meralco) during the hearing of its proposed new franchise after a bank denied authorizing a law firm to file complaints on its behalf.

Rodriguez, in a statement on Tuesday, urged the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises to “exercise prudence” in discussing the franchise issue, noting that only “substantive and verified evidence” should be presented.

The lawmaker was referring to the confirmation from Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, that BDO Unibank denied tapping Manjares & Manjares law firm to submit a complaint against Meralco.

The law firm forwarded the complaint to the committee during Meralco’s franchise deliberations.

“I am of firm belief that only substantive and verified evidence should be presented before the Committee on Legislative Franchises, or any committee for that matter, so that the honorable members of Congress would not be misled by inaccurate information and for all of us to maintain the integrity of the ongoing deliberations,” Rodriguez said.

“As representatives of the Filipino people, it is our obligation to resolve issues and concerns subject to our review in a fair, sober and respectful manner,” he added.

Over the weekend, Tambunting confirmed to reporters that the committee on legislative franchises got a letter from BDO Unibank chief legal counsel Alvin Go stating that the bank did not authorize the Manjares & Manjares law firm to file a complaint against Meralco.

The committee was asked to consider the complaint in the franchise hearing.

“Yes, there was a letter,” Tambunting said.

According to the letter from BDO Unibank, the bank, and Meralco are “presently engaged in discussions to resolve the issues.”

Rodriguez has been adamant about granting Meralco a new franchise, saying that it will be good for the Philippine economy as it projects an image that the country is business-friendly.

Other lawmakers, however, particularly those from the Makabayan bloc, said that hearings for Meralco’s new franchise should not be rushed because many issues have to be reviewed.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said that she hopes the committee on legislative franchises would be able to study it properly first.

Meralco’s franchise is set to expire by 2028.

Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga maintained that the endorsement of Meralco’s franchise by veteran lawmakers only shows the company’s efforts to deliver good customer service.

“The filing of separate bills to renew the legislative franchise of Meralco by veteran and respected lawmakers is a firm validation of the relentless efforts of Meralco to deliver service to millions of Filipinos including commercial and industrial establishments that require adequate, reliable and efficient electric service,” Zaldarriaga said.