MORE Electric and Power Corp. on Thursday described the decision of the Supreme Court affirming its role as the new electricity distributor in Iloilo City as the city’s triumph for consumer rights and protection.
“This victory has definitely made every step of the year-long legal wrangle very much worth it despite PECO’s delaying tactics and fake news propaganda against us. The ruling, more than anything else, is a clear message by the High Tribunal that nothing is over and above the welfare of the general public,” MORE Power president Roel Castro said in a statement.
“This is definitely a major win for all of us, most especially for Iloilo power consumers who spent years, decades even, putting up with all the unbridled violations and inequities of the former utility distributor,” Castro said.
He said the decision of the Supreme Court validated Congress’ power to choose the best company to provide vital public services to Iloilo City and its 65,000 consumers.
Castro said this assured Iloilo consumers of safe, quality and reliable electric service under MORE Power’s program to modernize the city’s distribution system.
“We applaud the Supreme Court for making this decision and by standing alongside the advocacy of the people to finally oust a monopoly that has trampled on the rights of the Ilonggos for so long. Rest assured that MORE Power will continue working to improve and modernize the distribution system as we carry forward the tradition of noble public service which we believe Ilonggos have every right to demand for and which they fully deserve,” Castro said.
MORE Power earlier committed to invest P1.8 billion to modernize and upgrade the distribution system of Iloilo City.
The SC affirmed the constitutionality of the legislative franchise granted to MORE Power as the lone distribution utility in Iloilo City.
It also affirmed the pertinent provisions of the franchise authorizing MORE Power to exercise the power of eminent domain and expropriate existing distribution facilities of rival Panay Electric Co.
PECO, through its legal counsel, is reviewing legal remedies following the ruling and vowed to continue the fight to defend its constitutional rights.
Voting 8-6, the SC reversed and set aside the decision rendered by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court and, instead, declared as constitutional Section 10 and 17 of Republic Act No. 11212, or MORE Power’s legislative franchise.
The provisions empower MORE Power to exercise the power of eminent domain and to expropriate any asset, including existing distribution assets in Iloilo city.
Congress earlier rejected PECO’s franchise in January 2019 due to numerous consumer complaints. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law granting the 25-year franchise to MORE Power as the sole power distributor on Feb. 14, 2019.