Senate wants clearer parameters on Aquino’s requested additional powers

Senate President Franklin Drilon INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate also received the letter from President Benigno Aquino III, asking for a joint resolution that will grant him authority to contract additional generating capacity amid the projected 300-megawatt deficit next year.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he received the letter from the President Monday, September 15.

But Drilon said the letter was too “broad”that he asked Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla during Tuesday’s budget hearing of the Senate committee on finance about the parameters of the authority that the President was asking.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the committee, also inquired about the President’s letter that was sent both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Escudero particularly asked how much the additional generating capacity would cost the government and where the money would be sourced.

Responding to Escudero’s queries, Petilla said the estimated cost of the additional generating capacity was estimated at P6 billion, which will be sourced from the Malampaya funds.

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