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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Rodriguez on Meralco franchise renewal hearings: 'Verified evidence only, please' 

Rodriguez on Meralco franchise renewal hearings: 'Verified evidence only, please' 

Published May 28, 2024 09:41 am

At A Glance

  • Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that only "substantive and verified evidence" should be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises amid the contentious attempt to give the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) an early extension to its legislative franchise. 

FB_IMG_1651723569429.jpgCagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Facebook)

A veteran solon said that only "substantive and verified evidence" should be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises amid the contentious attempt to give the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) an early extension to its legislative franchise.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez had this to say Tuesday, May 28 after getting wind of reports on Banco de Oro's (BDO) denial of involvement in a certain law firm’s manifestation on its behalf, citing a complaint of the bank against Meralco that was brought up during the committee hearing last week.

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

"As representatives of the Filipino people, it is our obligation to resolve issues and concerns subject to our review in a fair, sober and respectful manner," added the former law dean of San Sebastian College.

Chaired by Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting, the legislative franchises panel recently confirmed the receipt of an official correspondence from BDO dated May 23, 2024 from lawyer Alvin Go.

The Go letter stated that it did not authorize Manjares & Manjares law firm to submit its May 20, 2024 letter and its attachments to the committee. It short, BDO disowned the law firm’s letter to the panel.

He said the documents addressed to Tambunting asked that BDO’s complaint be considered in deciding against Meralco’s franchise renewal.

READ THIS:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/26/house-panel-confirms-bdo-letter-that-disowned-complaint-vs-meralco

Some members of the committee claimed during a May 21 hearing that the supposed complaint of BDO against Meralco---if left unresolved--will have a negative effect on the franchise application.

Meralco's current franchise will expire in 2028. Rodriguez is among the handful of House members who, through legislation, are pushing for another 25-year extension to the power distribution giant's franchise.

The complaint cited by Manjares & Manjares law firm is related to BDO’s application for electric service for its expansion project in Makati City, which Meralco said requires a capacity addition that would entail the construction of a new substation.

BDO has assured the House panel that it was committed to resolve the issue with Meralco.

Related Tags

Committee on Legislative Franchises Manila Electric Company Rufus Rodriguez Banco de Oro
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