House leader defends Meralco amid franchise renewal

MANILA, Philippines — A ranking House of Representatives official yesterday defended the country’s largest private power distributor against supposed attacks and disinformation peddled by critics as the company renews its legislative franchise.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments, asked the committee on legislative franchises led by Rep. Gus Tambunting to “exercise prudence” in deliberating the renewal of Manila Electric Co.’s legislative franchise.

“I am of the firm belief that only substantive and verified evidence should be presented before the committee, or any committee for that matter, so that members of Congress would not be misled by inaccurate information and for all of us to maintain the integrity of the deliberations,” he said.

Rodriguez made the remarks after one of the country’s biggest universal banks denied its reported involvement – through a certain law firm it allegedly hired – in sending a purported letter complaint against Meralco.

Tambunting confirmed receipt of the letter, which asked the House legislative franchises panel to first consider the bank’s complaint in deciding against Meralco’s franchise renewal, which shall be reckoned from 2028 plus another 25 years, or until 2053.

The letter was brought up during the committee hearing on Meralco’s franchise renewal bid last May 21.

In response, the bank said it is “still investigating” the release of the unauthorized documents pertaining to the complaint.

“(The bank) finds the urgent need to inform the Honorable Committee that it has no participation whatsoever regarding the preparation or sending of the said letter (of the purported law firm),” the local bank said.

“For the information of the Honorable Committee, the bank and Meralco are presently engaged in discussions to resolve the issues (and) these discussions are, in fact, progressing well,” a portion of the letter read.

The bank said it “prefers to amicably resolve its issues with Meralco through a healthy dialogue.”