Published December 1, 2018, 2:49 PM By Jeffrey Damicog
The Court of Appeals (CA) has
decided to hear the petition challenging the alleged questionable deals made by
the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
The CA”s Former Third Division has
issued a resolution which granted the motion for reconsideration of petitioner
Romeo Junia who sought to stop the power supply agreements made by Meralco and
Panay Energy Development Corporation before the Energy Regulatory Commission
(ERC).
“After careful review of the
arguments raised, we shall allow the instant motion,” read the resolution
penned by former CA Associate Justice and now newly appointed Supreme Court
(SC) Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang and concurred by CA Associate Justices
Elihu Ybañez and Pedro Corales.
“We agree with Junia that the public
be provided an opportunity to determine whether or not the public may attain,
in the best way, the least-cost energy in the Power Supply Agreements between
Manila Electric Company and Panay Energy Development Corporation,” appellate
court pointed out.
“Supply of electricity is clearly a
matter imbued with public interest and general welfare,” it added.
With the ruling, the court directed
Meralco to respond to the allegations in the petition by filing a comment
within 10 days of receipt of the order.
After which, Junia was also directed
to file reply after five days to Meralco’s comments.
In his motion, Junia pointed out the
power supply agreements are “midnight deals” and should have undergone
competitive selection process before the ERC.
The petitioner also pointed out the
deals do not comply with the “least-cost” mandate.
Junia explained, as an electricity
consumer and Meralco client, he should be allowed to participate in the
proceedings for purposes of determining if Meralco will honor its obligation in
providing the public utility.
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