Hannah L. Torregoza
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC) will not only look into the causes of high electricity rates but also into the alleged irregularities in the purchase of coal by the National Power Corp. (Napocor).
Santiago, co-chairperson of the JCPC and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, said this will be tackled by the upper chamber when it hears the resolution for amendments in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
Santiago said she will look into the possibility that the energy industry has been infiltrated by syndicates who are lobbying and pushing for the use of coal.
"Hindi lang pala langis ang pinanggagalingan ng ating kuryente kundi coal. Iyan ay may criminal na sindikato din. Kaya may mga lupon sa electric power industry nagmamaneobra na hanggang ngayon ang ating kuryente ay manggaling sa uling dahil ang laki ng pinapatong nila kapag nagbenta sila ng uling sa Napocor," she said.
She said this will be brought up after the JCPC hears the side of the Manila Electric Co. on the issue of high electricity costs.
"Titingnan din natin yan pagkatapos nito. Kaya ang maari ang imbestigasyon natin sa lunes ay matutuloy sa kasunod pa na lunes na tungkol naman sa uling," Santiago said.
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