Thursday, August 28, 2008 Espinoza: ERC should be abolished By Elias L. Espinoza Free Zone
INSTEAD of regulating power distribution utilities (DUs), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has been unwittingly used by these utilities for their schemes.
The ERC is currently consulting the public on the proposal of DUs to sell electricity through the prepaid scheme, a system similar to the one used by cell phone companies.
The ERC must have forgotten consumers’ complaints on “extra charges” by utilities that it is now focusing on this prepaid scheme proposal.
The expensive power rates and other charges that were the subjects of the Senate inquiry on Meralco are the same fees Veco collects from its consumers, like “system loss,” “missionary electrification,” “environmental charge,” “subsidy on lifeline charge,” etc.
These charges are being added to the total monthly payable, although the consumed electricity could only be 50 percent of that.
Admittedly, Veco has greatly improved its services after the change in management. It does not mean, though, that consumers have accepted the unjust charges. They’re only scared of disconnection if they won’t pay their bills.
Because the complaint of “extra charges” has not been looked into, it is apparent that ERC people are giving more attention to the concerns of the DUs than the interest of consumers.
I think it was a month ago that Veco petitioned the ERC for an increase in power rates to recoup the cost of acquisition of Transco lines. The ERC is yet to invite the consumers for a consultation.
But why should, we, the consumers pay for Veco’s capital outlay for the acquisition of Transco lines? It is absurd, isn’t it?
Many times the ERC is silent when Veco officials tell consumers that the “extra charges” they collected were ERC-approved. ERC should be abolished for being anti-consumer.
When Sen. Manny Villar was here in Cebu in June this year, he promised to include Veco, the electric cooperatives and other power firms in the Senate inquiry on Meralco operations.
Nothing came out of that. It was just another presidential wannabe paying lip service to an issue. And he may resurrect that next year to get the support of Cebuano consumers for the 2010 polls.
***
It’s a shame that Daabantayan Mayor Sun Shimura, Vice Mayor Maria Luisa Loot and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon are casting doubts on the integrity of the court just because its decision was unfavorable to them.
I feel sorry for them because they don’t know what they are mouthing against Bogo City Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Marigomen. Marigomen decided in favor of the election protest of Augusto Corro and his running mate Jose de Leon.
For a legislator like Salimbangon to claim without factual basis that the judge’s decision was influenced by the Martinezes was uncalled for.
Lawyers know that a judge decides based on evidence the parties present. And it is unethical for a lawyer, as an officer of the court, to publicly fault a judge for an unfavorable decision when that decision could have been a product of his/her incompetence.
Shimura, his mother (Loot) and their lawyers can raise the issue on appeal in the appropriate forum. There they can criticize the judge if he committed errors in his decision, not in a press conference or rally.
