Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. PHOTO by Kristine Sabillo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday berated the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for burdening the public with substantial rate hikes.
During the Senate probe on Meralco’s price hike, he called the commission a “rubber stamp” for allegedly approving rate hike proposals without thorough discussion and scrutiny.
“We are not a rubber stamp,” ERC chairperson Zenaida Cruz-Ducut replied.
The senator added that if it was up to him, he would terminate or “kick out” members of the ERC and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for not doing their job.
“I’m actually surprised that ERC is conducting investigation on power rate hike when in my opinion, they’re the biggest culprits here,” he said.
Addressing Meralco, Trillanes pointed out that usually it’s the private sector that is more efficient but, “In this case, you are not showing any sign of efficiency.”
The senator said he filed a bill to expand the uses of the Malampaya funds, including subsidizing power rate hikes.
Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said he would recommend it to President Benigno Aquino III to be certified as urgent.
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