Peco: What rollback?

By Ronilo L. Pamonag

Who said something about a rollback?

The Energy Regulatory Commission's order for Panay Electric Company Inc. (Peco) to effect a P2 power rate rollback has not yet become final, an officer from the firm clarified.

“The truth of the matter is: The reduction in rates resulting from the order of the ERC dated January 19, 2005 was held in abeyance based on the March 15, 2005 order of the commission which states '(i)n the meantime, pending the resolution of PECO's second motion for reconsideration, the implementation of the Commission's Order dated January 19, 2005 is hereby held in abeyance,” Peco Senior Vice President for Operations Edmund Afzelius said in a statement.

He noted that “(a) couple of Oppositors in the unbundling case are giving the consumers false information about the status of the case.”

Afzelius further notes that “(t)he following fallacies are being spawn to mislead the people: 1) The ERC decision has become final and executory, therefore; 2) PECO must effect a net deduction of P2.00 on its rates effective April 09, 2005 based on the latest order of the ERC.”

Peco's critics, Lawyer Romeo Gerochi and Ian Seruelo, both of Freedom from Debt Coalition, have been publicly demanding that Peco implement the P2 rollback.

Afzelius questioned, however, why the two continue to call for an immediate price rollback.

“A copy of the order was furnished to the Oppositors including Atty. Romeo Gerochi and Ian Seruelo who were directed to file their opposition, comments and/or other pleadings within 10 days from their corresponding receipt of the Order,” Afzelius said, referring to ERC's order holding in abeyance the P2 rollback pending resolution of Peco's second motion for reconsideration.

“The latest order of the commission is quite clear and self-explanatory...Thus we cannot comprehend why the Oppositors, especially a lawyer such as Atty. Romeo Gerochi, failed to understand the plain language of the order,” Afzelius remarked.

He went on to say that, “(i)t makes us think that he is protecting his image in the public and trying to hide the fact that he has made a mistake by coming out with a premature press release of the supposed rate reduction that has not materialized until now.”