Friday, May 09, 2008
Bunye: Palace is not in word war with Meralco (10:50 a.m.)
PRESS Secretary Ignacio Bunye denied that Malacaņang is into a word war with the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), insisting that they only want the electric company to open its book and explain how they arrived at their current rates.
Bunye added that Meralco should avoid turning the tables at the government by alleging that the government is charging exorbitant fees through taxes and royalties, stressing that removing or reducing these rates may not be the solution to the current problem.
He said they, like everyone else, simply want to know how their electricity cost is computed and why some items like the costs for systems lost through illegal connections and the like should be charged on the consumers who are religiously paying their bills.
Bunye added that Malacaņang is not the only one asking for an explanation from Meralco, insisting that it is a public clamor that could have been avoided had the utility firm agreed from the start to open and make available their records to their stakeholders, which included the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
He stressed that the GSIS, being a stockholder, has the right to look at the company's books.
Bunye added that the government's call to open Meralco's books should not be interpreted as a means to eventually take over or be represented in the utility firm's board. (JMR/Sunnex) |
