Power trippers

Malacañang should definitely use its magic wand to solve our power crisis.  No one in this country can stop the greed of the key players of the power firms and energy officials but the President himself.  Not unless he or his men are part of the problem.

The unbelievable price hike was indeed a well-orchestrated move made by the energy players. And why didn’t any of the government officials stop it?  Why did they have to wait for the public to cry foul?  Isn’t it the job of the DOE and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation to protect us from any these monsters? Sanamagan!

Over the weekend, we learned that Meralco’s generation charge rose even higher this month compared to the December 2013 rate even when the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power plant in Luzon went online. So, who is telling the truth now? Is it the energy officials, Meralco or the power firms?

This problem has brought about so much stress to the lowly consumer who has to pay for the exorbitant generation charge amounting to 65% of his monthly electricity bill. Susmariosep! Did the generating companies make a deal with one another to manipulate power cost?

Our country is already suffering and we still have such imbeciles who have the nerve to rip us off.  I hope they all get electrocuted with karma.  Wow! I can’t believe that Meralco has the audacity to do such an act with its long tradition of serving the people fairly.  What happened?  Can we still trust them?

When GMA signed into law Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), it was with the intention to bring down electric rates and to improve the delivery of power supply to end-users by encouraging greater competition and efficiency in the electric industry. These reforms were aimed at making sure our country will have reliable and competitively priced electricity. The strategy is to put an end to monopolies that breed inefficiency, encourage the entry of many more industry players, and generate competition that will benefit consumers in terms of better rates and services.

But years have passed since GMA left her position, and here we are still faced with high electricity rates some call an unstoppable highway robbery. Where will this lead us? Perhaps it is indeed time to revisit the EPIRA law, examine its provisions, remove its weaknesses and replace them with those that would serve the welfare of the people. It’s really the president’s call now. Perhaps it is also about time for Congress to pass new legislation that will allow government to re-enter power generation with the primary responsibility of ensuring stable and affordable electricity for consumers.

My dad used to say that in this garrulous country, talk is too often mistaken for action. So much talking has been going on in government these past few months but action is yet to be seen and solutions to be felt by the people. Those with businesses that are primarily in the politically sensitive areas of media and public utilities, by this time, should have learned to be more adept in the games politicians and power brokers play.

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Who do you think had an upper hand in last week’s power tripping? P-Noy or Bong Revilla?  Bong Revilla was not able to convince the people that he is innocent.  All he did was to ostracize the President.  But what about convincing the people that he truly was not a part of the pork barrel scam?  The President on the other hand, acted so calmly and cool.  But the people saw through him and the tactics he is capable of doing.  However, in retrospect the President only did what he was supposed to do.

Revilla did it his way but I still think he should fire his director and scriptwriter.  This is not a scene for a movie nor for a teleserye.  He created a combination of drama, comedy and action in the Senate.  Instead of getting the sympathy of the people, he was laughed at and condemned. Imagine putting his family in the spotlight.  He must be crazy! His speech did more harm to him than good. He should go back to the drawing board and study his strategy carefully and wisely before he opens his mouth again.

As for P-Noy, he should refrain from reacting. This is the time he can actually shrug it off and carry on with his work and get things done.  I also agree with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, that P-Noy did not commit a crime if he only attempted to influence the outcome of the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice  Renato Corona. She said, “If President Aquino merely confined himself to attempts to influence the outcome of the impeachment trial last year, he did not commit a crime.  But if he bribed the senator-judges to convict the accused, then he is guilty of bribery as prohibited by law and as a ground for his own impeachment under the Constitution.” She added, “It is not a crime for the President to try to influence the outcome, because an impeachment trial is both legal and political in nature.  It is illegal for the President to try and influence the courts, because of the principle of independence of the judiciary. But it is legal for the President to try and influence the senator-judges, because he is the nominal head of his political party, and within bounds, he has the right to assure his political survival.”

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Congratulations to the People of the Year 2014 awardees by People Asia Magazine: Socorro Ramos, National Bookstore Founder; Megan Young, Miss World 2013; Nora Aunor, Actress & Singer; Helen Yuchengco Dee, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chairman; Chot Reyes, five-time PBA coach of the year & Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach; Brillante Mendoza, film director; Coco Martin, Actor; Edgar Chua, Shell Philippines country chair; Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Channel Head; Jonvic Remulla, Cavite Governor; Kuh Ledesma, Pop Diva; Criselda Lontok, Fashion Designer; Dr. Steve Mark Gan, Prosthodontist; Fr. Gerard Deveza; Education Advocate and Thomas Meyer, Australian Hotelier of Raffles and Fairmont Hotel.