Meralco to be accountable to SC, says militant group

By: Bong Lozada - 11 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After the seemingly endless brouhaha regarding the power rate hike, a militant group has filed multiple motions to the Supreme Court that would make the Manila Electric Cooperative accountable for the increased electricity prices.

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares marched to the Supreme Court Monday morning to file an Omnibus Motion that would require Meralco to submit a compliance report to the temporary restraining order that the high court issued.

“This will require the immediate submission of a compliance report from the date of the resolution on the instant motion, from respondent Meralco showing the total number of consumers who paid before the TRO was issued,” Colmenares said.

He added that the omnibus motion would also require Meralco to present the number of consumers who paid the additional prices before the TRO was issued, how much Meralco earned and how it complied with the order.
Meralco imposed a P4.15 increase on the monthly electric bills of its consumers, but the Supreme Court immediately blocked the attempt through multiple TROs, the latest issued on Feb. 18.

Colmenares, though, gave a leeway to Meralco with the Omnibus Motion, which would require the power cooperative to give their side on why they should not be put in contempt after imposing the additional charge.