PANAY ELECTRIC Company, Inc. (PECO) will file a motion for reconsideration on the Iloilo Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) decision in favor of the Iloilo City government’s Meter Reading Card System Ordinance. Under the ordinance, PECO consumers will have a card to monitor their consumption, intended as a validation mechanism to counter the alleged over-billing practice by PECO. The RTC Branch 39, in an Aug. 8 decision, dismissed with prejudice the petition for declaratory relief filed by Iloilo City due to PECO’s failure to appear during the pre-trial conference on Wednesday. Dismissal with prejudice means the case could not be re-filed, but it is subject to appeal. PECO Assistant Vice- President for Operations Randy S. Pastolero said they did not receive a notice of conference. Mr. Pastolero added that the decision was based on a technicality and that their lawyer would address all legal matters pertaining to the ordinance. PECO has previously said that the city council has no jurisdiction to regulate the power distribution firm, as such authority is with the Energy Regulatory Commission. City Councilor Joshua C. Alim, author of the ordinance, said the court’s decision is a “victory” for Iloilo consumers. Mr. Alim added that he expects PECO to exhaust all legal means to block the ordinance. “I don’t think they will stop. They will find all legal ways to defend their interest. On our part, we only defend the interest of customers,” he said. — Louine Hope Conserva

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR