Senate to resume probe on power rate hike

MANILA, Philippines - As Congress resumes session today, the Senate will have its hands full as it resumes its inquiry into the controversial power rate hike by the Manila Electric Co (Meralco) and tackles proposals to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), among other issues.

Senators are also expected to tackle the issue of post-disaster management procedures and the rice smuggling activities in the country.

Highlighting the Senate session today would be the privilege speech of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. where he is expected to break his silence regarding the pork barrel controversy.

Revilla was among the three lawmakers, along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada, implicated in the pork barrel scam.

Faced with a low trust rating in recent surveys, Senate President Franklin Drilon vowed to steer the Senate in a better direction that would restore the public’s trust in the institution marred with controversy over alleged pork barrel misuse.

Drilon batted for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill to encourage active participation in the governance process; and reforms to the current Sandiganbayan Law.

Sen. Cynthia Villar would convene on Wednesday the Senate committee on agriculture and food to resume the inquiry over reported rampant rice smuggling in the country. Businessman Davidson Bangayan,who has been identified as being alleged smuggling king David Tan but who has denied involvement in rice smuggling activities, has been invited to shed light on the issue.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, scheduled the next hearing on power rate issues on Thursday while the members of the Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 would meet on the same day.