Petilla and ERC playing dumb--obviously

Energy secretary Petilla is still clueless why electricity rates skyrocketed when the same situation last November occurred three years ago, when the country entered into a series of blackouts and power interruptions. However, back then, the price howered only between 10-12 pesos. This time, its 62 pesos.

Fact is, Petilla admitted before the Congressional Committee on Power yesterday that he is still studying the EPIRA law, when in fact, he has been on the job for the last two years.

Petille admits not fully understanding EPIRA. Then, what is the basis of his conclusion that there was no collusion among gencos and Meralco?

This is the problem of appointing a politician to a Technocrat's job. Petilla deserves to be fired. His incompetence has caused suffering to millions of families who now bear the brunt of high electricity rates.

I am Waray and I am ashamed of Petilla.

Petilla even want us to believe that there is still no cost being shouldered by the people, when in truth and in fact, the December Meralco billing has already reflected the price adjustment despite the Supreme Court decision to stay the adjustment. Thousands of families already paid Meralco extra. And that "extra" is not merely in the millions of pesos, oh no.

Due to his incompetence, Petilla even had the gall of recommending the use of the Malampaya funds to cover the exorbitant power rate. Wala bang hiya itong si Petilla?

Those funds aim to develop our power sector industry not finance the greed of companies. Because of his incompetence, Petilla wants government to part with the Malampaya billions.

Is this the way this government repays the trust and confidence of the people behind Pnoy? Is this the reward of the people in continuing their support behind this administration?

On Meralco rate hike: Why use Malampaya funds to finance a collusion?

we're heading towards a precipice

It is clear---the Department of Energy as well as Congress discovered a collusion between and among energy generation firms to simultaneously put their power plants into "maintenance mode" so that power rates would increase. This "collusion", according to findings, involve the Energy Regulatory Commission or ERC.

The question is--why is Malacanan pushing for the use of Malampaya funds considering that the evidence of a collusion is strong? Why not order the ERC to just withdraw their earlier decision to grant Meralco the rate hike?

The more logical thing for Malacanan to do here is to order the ERC to explain and punish those responsible for allowing this travesty to happen. Is this not the mandate of the Palace, to combat graft and corruption in all its forms? There is a clear collusion here which affects public welfare.

This is why it is totally questionable why the Palace and even its political ally, Senate president Franklin Drilon are all gung-ho in proposing for the use of the Malampaya funds to "subsidize" this rate hike, which was created by a collusion.

The palace and Drilon are one in saying: " Okay, since the collusion already happened anyway (meaning, naloko na tayo), we just have to grin and bear it. We need to pay them anyway for the damage they did to us. Hence, please allow us to use the billions of Malampaya funds."

Bull. Crap.

These power generation plants are owned by the country's top elite families. They are close to the Powers that be.

The coal being supplied in these generation plants are being supplied by Paul Aquino, yep, the presidential cousin, father of Senator Bam Aquino.

Very strong and highly influential, yes? Other owners of power generation firms are either relatives or political allies of this administration.

So, you know now, why we need to pay Meralco of its exorbitant request? Yes, there is a collusion, but, according to Malacanang, so what? Pay these assholes with Malampaya funds.

What a day. whew.