Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Sunday criticized the Energy Regulatory Commission for allegedly protecting those behind the increase in power rates during the Malampaya shutdown in 2013.
Zarate questioned the delay in the release of the report on the alleged conspiracy to raise power rates throughout the shutdown. “ERC executives can be charged under Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for injury to the public and for failing to resolve a pending matter before them,” he said.
“This has gone far enough. It’s been three long years when the incident happened. If not for a petition filed with the Supreme Court, we could have been cheated. It’s good the high court stopped the power rate increase,”
Zarate added. Zarate warned that another round of power rate hike looms in early 2017 due to a 20-day shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas facility.
“Now, the Manila Electric Co. will seek a power rate increase amid another shutdown of the Malampaya plant even if there has been no final report yet of the alleged conspiracy between ERC and Meralco into the Malampaya shutdown [in 2013],” he said.
He also criticized former ERC chairperson Zenaida Ducut for being remiss in her duty to protect the welfare of millions of power consumers.
“This has taken far too long,” the lawmaker added.