|
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Appellate court stops power firm's rate reduction
By Jay Dooma Balnig
THE Panay Electric Company (Peco) obtained an order from the Court of Appeals (CA) that prevents them from implementing the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) order to reduce its rates by P2 per kilowatt-hour.
The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)-Iloilo, which furnished the local media copies of the CA order, however, said the 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) "highly-irregular" and "anti-consumer."
The Special Ninth Division, in its resolution dated May 27, 2005, directed the "public respondent ERC and all thereof acting for or through it, to cease and desist from enforcing and maintaining or otherwise giving effect to the assailed decision of May 19, 2004 and the assailed orders dated January 19, 2005 and April 25, 2005." The decision referred to in the order is the P2 reduction rate that Peco will implement.
Main intervenor FDC-Iloilo, headed by lawyer Romeo Gerochi, said in a statement that the issuance of a TRO is "highly-irregular" for Peco has a pending "notice of withdrawal of rule 43 petition" with the Court of Appeals 17th Division.
Gerochi said the Special Ninth Division, headed by Justice Roberto Barrios, who signed the resolution, apparently was not aware of Peco's notice of withdrawal.
The lawyer said he is optimistic that once he files his comment, the Appellate Court might appreciate his opinion, citing that the appeal of Peco be instantly dismissed due to technicalities in time prescription in filing the appeal.
FDC-Iloilo added the TRO is also "anti-consumer" as the implementation of the ERC order is already "long overdue."
"With the opening of classes coming, the P2 reduction could be a significant savings for parent-consumers," the group said.
In its May 19, 2005 decision, ERC pointed out "forum shopping" when the 17th Division granted Peco's motion for extension of time to file a petition to review.
(June 1, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
