TINAWAG na protektor ng power cartel nina Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares at Carlos Zarate si Energy Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla matapos magpahayag ang kalihim nang pabor sa Meralco.
Ang banat ng dalawang mambabatas ay kaugnay sa napaulat na paghimok ni Sec. Petilla sa Meralco na i-apela nito ang 60 days temporary restraining order (TRO) ng Supreme Court hinggil sa hinihingi nilang P4.15 per kilowatt-hour rate hike.
Pagkampi ng kalihim, kailangan aniya talagang masingil ng Meralco ang naturang rate hike para makabawi sa naging gastusin nito at para masiguro na rin ang mahusay na serbisyo nila.
“We are now wary that the DoE-ERC investigation on the collusion of power generators may be whitewashed. Firstly, with Sec. Petilla’s statement it is clear that he views the extremely high power rate hike as above board and regular. As it is, his position means that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is correct in allowing the P4.15 power rate hike. He does not even question if the computation for the hike is correct. Sec. Petilla is practically preempting the Supreme Court and is siding with the power cartel,” upak ni Rep. Colmenares.
Ayon naman kay Rep. Zarate, lumabas ang tunay ng kulay ni Sec. Petilla matapos magkunwaring ang interes ng mga konsyumer ang kanyang prinoprotektahan at hindi ang power cartel sa bansa.
(JETHRO SINOCRUZ)