MERALCO POWER RATE HIKE MUST BE INVESTIGATED!

The power rate increase this month announced by Meralco warrants a THOROUGH investigation by all concerned government agencies, as well as the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A probe not just of Meralco but of several other firms.

Meralco said actual costs of electricity from the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) and independent power producers (IPPs)—had gone down.

But WESM operator Philippine Electricity Market Corp. made some billing adjustments in Meralco for costs incurred by ‘must-run units’ in May 2010.

So what and where are these ‘must-run’ units? Who are the owners? How much were the expenses and for what? Where are the papers to prove that there was no overpricing? Who authorized it and when?

If the expenses were incurred in 2010, why is the PEMC charging it only now?

It’s already Lent but we’re still enjoying cold weather, especially at nights.  Power consumption for electric fans and airconditioners have surely gone down. So why has power cost at WESM MORE THAN DOUBLED to P9.64 per kWh FROM ONLY P4.28 per kWh last month? What is the basis and who authorized it?

Meralco admitted that IPP rates had gone down by 2.4 centavos per kWh. Then, why did the National Power Corp. (Napocor) raise the cost of its power by 1 centavo per kWh.?

What is SO SPECIAL about their electricity that they have to raise the cost even if others have reduced theirs? Is the increase legal? Where will the money go?

And remember, guys, IPPs are privately-owned. Napocor is state-owned. So in effect, instead of making life easier for us, it’s the Government which is making it more difficult for us to SURVIVE.

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GEM MIMA of Covina, California, USA on “Extreme Arrogance of the Office of the Ombudsman” :

Very hard hitting ang mga article mo. Very interesting to read I must say. I was wondering...Do you ever get threats?

Five of our friends on “Extreme arrogance of the Office of the Ombudsman”:

NOEMI MONTENEGRO

People like Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who doesn't have self respect at all prefer to hold on to her corrupt office despite the people's protests (and calls) for her to resign -- pretends not to hear the calls and keeps on ignoring these.

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Hong Kong

Napakahalagang ibahagi natin ang mensaheng ito sa ating mga kababayan. Sa ating gobyerno naman, wala na halos sinusunod sa mga batas. Basta malaking halaga ang involved, batas na nila ang kanilang sinusunod.

RONILO ACAHO of Davao City

How can government agencies improve their performance if the same agencies are coddlers of misconduct?

MERIT SALUD of Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

Theoretically, it would seem that the Ombudsman would lose its constitutional independence if the Office of the President has the power to terminate prosecutors moto propio without the concurrence and ratification of the Office of the Ombudsman. Thus, the need for the Supreme Court to clarify the width and breadth of the constitutional independence of the Ombudsman and its Office.

YOLANDA MANALAYSAY HERRING of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

There’s nothing impossible under Philippine law. They make their own law to suit themselves.

Two of our friends on “Don’t single out Willing Willie” :

SIMON GRACE

Inggit lang sila kay Willie

ENRIQUE REYES OF RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA willie

Ang nangyari kay Jan Jan at Willie ay bahagi ng isang taktika upang muli may pagusapan ang bayan at ng dii nito mapansin ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.  30