|
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Lawyer files yet another case against execs of power firm
LAWYER Romeo Gerochi Tuesday filed yet another case against Panay Electric Company (Peco) officials, including general manager Jose Ma. Cacho and senior vice president for operations Edmund Afzelius.
This time, the case is for violation of section 36 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act after Peco management refused to recompute his bill relative to the Energy Regulatory Commission order for Peco to reduce its rates by P2 per killowatt-hour.
Gerochi said last May 27, he instructed his secretary Lilibeth Guay to pay his electric bill, based on the old rate. When Guay paid the bill at the Peco office, the cashier refused to recompute upon the instructions of the Peco officials.
Epira's section 36 on unbundling of rates and function states, "Any electric power industry participant shall functionally and structurally unbundle its business activities and rates in accordance with the sectors as identified in section 5 hereof. The ERC shall ensure full compliance with this provision."
In section 46 the law also states, "To ensure compliance with this Act, the penalty of prision correctional or a fine ranging from P5,000 to P5 million, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any person, including but not limited to the president, member of the Board, chief executive officer or chief operating officer for the corporation, partnership, or any other entity involved, found guilty of violating or refusing to comply with any provision of this Act of its IRR, other than those provided herein."
Gerochi earlier filed before the City Prosecutor's Office a charge for grave threat against Cacho, Afzelius and chief accountant Neil Parcon after the power firm issued a press statement, claiming "the possibility of a blackout in the city" should they be constrained to reduce their rates.(JDB)
(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
|
