Power retailer Manila Electric Co. asked the Court of Appeals to lift the temporary restraining order it issued in favor of South Premiere Power Corp. and deny the generation company’s application for a writ of preliminary injunction.
Meralco, in a motion filed on Dec. 19, cited the disruption of basic and essential services being rendered by SPPC, contrary to the objective of the TRO and to the detriment of millions of Filipinos served by the power distributor. “With due respect, the grant of the TRO was not in furtherance of the ‘interest of the general public,” Meralco said.
The TRO led to the cessation of 670 megawatts of supply that SPPC was obligated to deliver under its power supply agreement, which has a lower rate compared to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the emergency power supply agreement where Meralco sources the replacement power.
“Honorable Court should lift the TRO and direct for the parties to continuously implement the PSA in order to bring back the scenario that would serve and protect the public from the unnecessary burden of increased electricity costs,” Meralco said.