Power-rate hike protesters start vigil at SC
PHOTO BY NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Cause-oriented groups have already started their mass action and vigil in front of the Supreme Court on the eve of the debate on legality of the record high P4.15 per kilowatt-hour power rate hike.
The activity started with a protest action on Monday afternoon by one of the petitioners Anakpawis followed by group discussions on the power rate hike and a vigil and solidarity night.
On Tuesday, petitioners Makabayan Bloc, the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms, Federation of Village Associations, Federation of Las Piñas Homeowners Association will be the first to justify before the high court their allegation that the power rate increase is illegal.
They maintained that the Energy Regulatory Commission committed grave abuse of discretion when they hastily approved the proposed power rate hike by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) last Dec. 9.
Arguing for petitioners Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, Act Teachers Partylist and Kabataan Partylist are lawyers Carlos Isagani Zarate and Neri Colmenares while lawyer Leonard De Vera will argue on behalf of the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore).
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