Energy chief Almendras willing to resign

By Dennis Carcamo (The Philippine Star) Updated March 28, 2012 09:46 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Energy Secretary Jose Almendras said Wednesday that he will to step down from his post if President Benigno Aquino III sees that he cannot address the problem of power shortage in Mindanao.


"Wala akong sinasabing wala akong kasalanan... We admit responsibility... I won't have problems if I'm asked to resign because I'm here to serve the nation. If the President says he has no confidence in me, then I will resign," Almendras said in a radio interview.


Almendras was reacting to calls from members of the House of Representatives for him to resign as energy chief over the continuing power shortage in Mindanao.


He said that while Mindanao is experiencing eight to 10 hours of blackouts, power shortage has not been an issue in Luzon and Visayas. He also said that the power shortage in the southern Philippines will not affect the economy since there are only a few investments in the region.


"Walang nag-iinvest sa Mindanao. Sa Luzon at Visayas wala namang problema," Almendras said.


Almendras, meanwhile, said that he has reservations in proposals to give President Aquino emergency powers to address the power shortage in Mindanao.


He said that the move might worsen the situation.


"Dapat alamin and features ng emergency powers... Ayaw naman nating dagdagan ang utang na babayaran ng tao," he said.


Almendras also scored some groups which have been circulating reports that the power shortage is only man-made or artificial.


"A lot of things are being said [about the issue] that are now accurate... We have information; we have facts to show that's why we are planning to organize a forum in Mindanao," he said.