Defensor leads Capitol probe on ILECO III controversy
Key figures on the now infamous Power Supply Agreement (PSA) of one Iloilo electric cooperative will face off Tuesday in Sara, Iloilo.
This, as the legislative investigation takes off with the Capitol’s Committee on Economic Affairs and Investment conducting the probe.
Pushed by Fifth District Board Member Jett Rojas, the committee’s primary focus though will be on the mis-events surrounding the said PSA.
Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr. will lead Tuesday’s proceedings he clarified as one “fact-finding” committee hearing. The public is enjoined to take part in the proceedings.
The News Today (TNT) in a follow-up gathered that foremost of the invited were the members of the board and officers of the Iloilo Electric Cooperative III (ILECO). ILECO III serves some eleven Iloilo towns covering the entire Northern Iloilo.
As such, mayors from Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, Sara, Anilao and Banate were invited. Also sent invites were management committee members of ILECO III, area managers and other ILECO officials.
Presidential Assistant For Western Visayas Assistant Secretary Raul Banias, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and Fifth District Congressman Niel Tupas Jr. were likewise invited.
The ILECO III controversy was dubbed by Rojas as one “anomalous” deal and “a case of social injustice.”
Rojas in a privilege speech spoke hit the ILECO III deal with Applied Research Technologies Philippines Incorporated (ARTECH).
ARTECH, Rojas said, is to supply electric power for 25 years at a generation charge of P6.50 per kilowatt hour.
“Where is the irregularity in this decision?,” he began. “Firstly, it was alleged that ARTECH was a non-participant in the bidding process….Secondly, the cost of power generation charged by ARTECH is said to be very costly and in fact, above the bid price of qualified bidders… Third, is there truth to the allegations of bribery of the president and members of the Board of Directors each for a total amount of P150,000 with the supposed two-time payment cleverly effected before and after the signing of the contract?”
Rojas also raised questions on the supposed haste of ILECO III president “when he has 60 days to study and review?”
“Last and most importantly, where were the member-consumers not consulted on the matter since the investment decision will eventually accrue to either their benefit or disadvantage?,” Rojas continued. “….it would seem that the Board failed to exercise prudence in its decision-making responsibility and this is a very serious matter indeed.”
As such, Rojas demanded for disclosure and transparency on the deal stressing that member-consumers “deserve to know the unsullied truth and those who were involved in the supposed anomaly once ascertained must be held responsible for the consequences of their actions.”
Other than the Capitol probe, Rojas wanted Congress to do a House inquiry as well.