Lawmakers hailed Thursday the release by the Supreme Court of a decision that is expected to put to rest the long-standing legal controversy that has affected electricity distribution in Iloilo.
In an 8-6 vote, the SC favored the petition of the More Electric and Power Corp. for a reversal of a Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court ruling that declared unconstitutional Sections 10 and 17 of Republic Act 11212 granting More Power the authority of eminent domain and the power to expropriate or acquire the private assets of the Panay Electric Company Inc. (PECO).
Sought to be expropriated by More Power were private assets of PECO, including poles, wires, cables, transformers, switching equipment stations and buildings, machinery, and equipment which will be used in its power distribution operations.
The SC ruling, in a way, also validated the power of Congress to choose the best company to provide vital public services through its franchising power as the entire Iloilo City and its 65,000 consumers are now assured of safe, quality, and reliable electric service under More Power’s program to modernize the Iloilo City distribution system, said More Power president Roel Castro.
“Rest assured that More Power will continue working to improve and modernize the distribution system as we carry forward the tradition of noble public service which we believe Ilonggos have every right to demand for and which they fully deserve," Castro stated.
Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda said Congress was confident early on that the Supreme Court will side with their decision, which went through the legal process, to give the franchise to a more worthy company.
“We were confident since the start that the High Tribunal will uphold the Congressional franchise. We know we were acting within our legislative powers and took into account the promise of better service” explained Baronda.
As Iloilo City’s lone representative in Congress, Baronda had appealed to PECO to respect the law and follow the decision of the SC.
“Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, the people of Iloilo City expect both camps to respect the law. We hope that More Power will now be able to fully fulfill its promises to us,” she added.
Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel shared the same sentiment that they have long believed that the SC will junk the petition of PECO since it no longer has the franchise to operate as a power utility.
“I believe that the Supreme Court made the right decision and with this ruling by the Supreme arbiter of our laws, Peco has no more recourse but to accept the fate of their company,” explained Pimentel.