MANILA, Philippines - An anti-corruption group has started laying the groundwork for a class suit to be filed against Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for allegedly overcharging its consumers.
This developed as the utility firm's employees denounced what they called a takeover attempt by the government on the private power utility firm.
In an interview on dzBB radio, Dante Jimenez, founding chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), said his group is leading a drive to organize evidence that would be used in filing a class suit against Meralco.
"Siguradong maraming magvo-volunteer maging complainant. Naghahanap kami ngayon ng certified public accountants. Ang bills binayaran nila kailangan maayos ang accountants (We are certain many Meralco customers will be interested in filing the class suit. So we need CPAs
right now to handle the documentary evidence, including the bills)," Jimenez said.
"We will put a period to all these things by filing a class suit against Meralco," he added.
Jimenez did not give other details of the planned class suit, other than that it will involve a "big amount" in refunds that the complainants will demand from Meralco.
He also hinted at "legal strategies" for the class suit, including setting up "centerpoints" where disgruntled Meralco customers can bring their bills and other "evidence" of overcharging.
Once the VACC finishes collecting and processing the evidence and files a class suit, Jimenez said it will make the evidence available to investigating agencies.
As this developed, Meralco employees put up full-page ads on Metro Manila newspapers Wednesday denouncing what they called was an attempt to take over Meralco using "unfounded" controversies. The advertisement, however, did not identify those behind the takeover.
The ads claimed 6,000 concerned Meralco employees signed the advertisement.
"We take exception to the baseless accusations by the parties interested in taking over Meralco and/or pushing their personal agenda without concern for customer service and the public responsibility of a utility company like Meralco," the ad stated.
Also, it said financial documents will be made available for stockholders to scrutinize at Meralco offices. It noted that Meralco's corporate governance policies and practices have received awards and are recognized as benchmarks among publicly listed companies.
The employees said almost 80% of the electricity bill paid by customers is related to generation and transmission. Of the remaining 20%, 12.4% goes to Meralco and the rest goes to taxes and charges paid to government.
"We vehemently reject and strongly object to any attempt by any group to take over the management of your company especially this latest one using the media and unfounded controversies to mislead the public. Their irresponsible actions just create trouble with all their
confusing and confused requests and accusations," the ad stated.
"We wish to continue serving you with even more dedication and higher quality of service. With our knowledge of and full malasakit (care) for the company and its operations we reject in the strongest terms any attempt by any individual or any group to take over the management of the company in whatever form such will take," it added.
Among those who signed the ad were Emilio Diokno, president of First Line Association of Meralco Supervisory Employees (Flames); Aurelio Ferma, president of Meralco Retirees Association; Mayo Jonel Santos, president of Association of Meralco Engineering Technicians;
Aniano Cabiling, president of Meralco Christian Fellowship; Michael dela Torre, president of Meralco Employees Worker Association; Eusebio Gonzales, president of Meralco Association of Cadet Engineers; Mario Christopher Yap, chapter head of Couples for Christ Meralco chapter;
Manuel Panagsagan, president of Meralco mini pastoral council; and Merle Martinez, Meralco Dependents Livelihood Multipurpose Cooperative. - GMANews.TV
7 comments:
On June 2, I was set to testify on the request for a TRO on MERALCO's continued applications for rate increases with the ERC and the charging of unconsionable rates. My affidavit and explanatons my be downloaded at http://www.meralco.reklamo.ph/MERALCO%20.rar
The case is a class suit on the collusion between NPC, ERC and MERALCO in charging MERALCO consumers exhorbitant fees for electricity. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the class suit primarily because the court did not have any jurisdiction over the case. If it were only a matter of rate setting, that would have placed the case under the jurisdiction of the ERC. However, since the complaint involves abuse of discretion on the part of the ERC, then the regional trial courts may look into the matter. For where else can the consumers go for redress. The issue on jurisdiction will have to be settled first, before a hearing on the TRO may be allowed to proceed.
It is about time that the consumers complained about the actions of NPC, MERALCO and the ERB. They have been duping the public for over a decade. They continue to do so by confounding consumers with the intricate formulations on how just and fair rates are being set and presenting the consumer with concocted charges.
I filed a complaint against MERALCO Calamba Branch at the ERC last Nov.8,2007. There's still no final resolution. The complaint was about overbilling for period covered September 15,2007 to October 17,2007. Meralco lied on March 10,2008 hearing that there was an IPA I signed with them. I am interested to join the class suit against meralco. I have all the documents to prove my claim. i was advised to file this case in regular court for damages. I need legal assistance.
Dear Helen,
We would be glad to go over your claim and the supporting documents. First, you will have to scan all the documents you want to show us and send them as email file attachments or upload them to http://sendittous.com/send/index.php .
I will forward your case to our lawyers and see if there is still an opportunity for us to include your records as part of the body of evidence that we have compiled.
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From: Helen [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 6:49 PM
To: mistergam@gmail.com
Subject: [KAKAMMPI News] New comment on Group readies class suit vs Meralco.
Helen has left a new comment on the post "Group readies class suit vs Meralco":
I filed a complaint against MERALCO Calamba Branch at the ERC last Nov.8,2007. There's still no final resolution. The complaint was about overbilling for period covered September 15,2007 to October 17,2007. Meralco lied on March 10,2008 hearing that there was an IPA I signed with them. I am interested to join the class suit against meralco. I have all the documents to prove my claim. i was advised to file this case in regular court for damages. I need legal assistance.
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Posted by Helen to KAKAMMPI News at July 5, 2008 6:49 PM
Sir,
I don't know whether you've received the e-mail I sent last Sunday because I received no reply. Just in case well, some of the documents are handwritten those are the complaint letters I filed against MERALCO and these letters are blurred when I tried to scan it on the other hand the ERC's letters copy furnished to me is computerized.Scanning is kinda costly here its 20php per page and the documents are 31 pages all. If i may just have your mailing address then I could send it through LBC.Please reply. Thanks for taking time.
Last July 10,2008 i received a copy furnished letter for Atty.Anthony Rosete of MERALCO from ERC. Saying it directed MERALCO to comment Within 15 days on the issue that I denied Signing any kind of IPA with them. Also, for the discrepancies of the numbers contained on their comment letter submitted to ERC.
My address: 2438 Villalon Drive, Capitol Hills, Cebu City
Please send email to me directly at tet@rpweb.ph
Helen,
Please send me email at tet@rpweb.ph . I have referred your complaint to the lawyersand they suggested that you get in touch with them in order to clarify the complaint and the events that have transpired since then. They can be contacted at 8133459 and 8133497.
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