Militant solon urges more transparency in ERC-Meralco deals

A militant lawmaker urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Sunday to be more transparent in its “midnight deals” with the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said they received information recently that the ERC has approved seven Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) with Meralco.

“Dapat ay ipaalam na ng ERC kung inaprubahan at pinalusot na nila ang mga midnight at sweetheart deals na ito (The ERC should inform the public if they already approved these “midnight” and “sweetheart” deals,” Zarate said in a statement.

Read: House asks ERC, Meralco to explain power supply deals

“Ang nakakagalit lang sa ngayon ay parang sa halip na ibasura ay mukhang aaprubahan pa nga nila ang di tamang mga kontratang ito (What is infuriating is that they approved the contracts instead of junking them.),” he added.

The lawmaker warned ERC chair Agnes Devanadera that the approval of these agreements would result in higher prices of electricity and greatly affect consumers.

He also urged the public to protest these questionable power supply between the ERC and Meralco.

“We are calling on consumers go out and protest against these deals as well as other power rate hikes,” Zarate said. /ee