Emergency powers for energy woes? Palace says no talks yet

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said on Sunday, January 12, there is no word yet from President Benigno Aquino III about a proposal to grant him emergency powers to solve rising electricity costs and mass transit problems in Metro Manila, as suggested by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone.

“Ito po ang katugunan natin diyan: Hindi pa po tinatalakay ng Pangulo ang bagay na ‘yan sa mga miyembro ng Gabinete,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. in a radio interview. (Here is our response: The President has not discussed the matter with members of the Cabinet.)

Coloma added that the government is continuously studying and finding concrete ways to lessen the impact of the power rate hike of Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The rate hike was temporarily stopped by the Supreme Court last month.

“Hihintayin na lang po natin ang ganap na paglalahad ng mga posisyon, at ‘yung magiging kapasyahan ng ating Korte Suprema,” said Coloma. (We will just wait for the positions of both sides [during the oral arguments], and the decision of the Supreme Court.)

Meralco was set to implement a staggered P4.15 per kilowatt-hour hike in electricity prices starting December 2013, but the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the hike. Oral arguments on the matter are scheduled on January 21.

Meralco told its customers to disregard their December bills if payments have not been made, and to pay the amounts they were billed in November instead.

Coloma said that the Department of Energy is talking to Meralco and power producers. “It is important for the players in the power industry to act in a manner consistent with the public welfare as their business is imbued with public interest.”

The President may be granted emergency powers by Congress “in times of war or other national emergency,” pursuant to Article VI, Section 23(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. – Rappler.com