Palace downplays emergency powers

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang downplayed the issue of emergency powers that would be given to President Benigno Aquino III as it maintained that the administration would be seeking concrete measures to minimize the impact of the power rate increase.

“The President has not discussed emergency powers with his Cabinet. His orders are still to find concrete solutions to minimize the impact of power rate hikes on the people, though the Supreme Court had temporarily stopped such an adjustment,” Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said in a radio interview.

He added that the Department of Energy met with representatives from power producers and the Manila Electric Cooperative (Meralco) to discuss the matter.

“It is important for the players in the power industry to act in a manner consistent with the public welfare as their businesses are imbued with public interest.”

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