The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) asked the Supreme Court to lift the restraining order on the all-time high P4.15 rate hike.
During Tuesday’s oral argument, Meralco, through lawyer Victor Lazatin, said petitioners against the rate hike failed to prove that their rights to due process have been violated as well as the existence of grave and irreparable injury that could result in the payment of the increased electricity bills.
Meralco pointed out that before they charged the consumers, they went to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and their proposals were approved after due notice and hearing.
“Meralco was pro-active seeking and undertaking mitigating measures to cushion the impact of the scheduled Malampaya shutdown,” Lazatin said.
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