BIG FALSE LIE: PECO denies bribery try on barangay captains

PANAY Electric Company (PECO) confirmed asking support from Iloilo City officials and residents on its effort to retain its congressional franchise but denied offering bribe.

PECO corporate communications officer Mikel Afzelius even called the bribery allegation “a big, false lie.”

Afzelius said they have been sending letters seeking the support of barangays in Iloilo City but he emphasized that there is no money involved.

“We are sending out letters to get support from barangays and from different people but it has nothing to do with money. It is not true. We do not do that,” he stressed.

He added that the letters are actually manifestos of support for PECO’s franchise renewal.

PECO is facing its biggest challenge so far from MORE Power and Electric Co. which is also applying for a congressional franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo City.

MORE Power already secured the nod of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Public Services while PECO’s application for renewal remains pending in the House Committee on Congressional Franchises.

Recently, reports came out that PECO circulated manifestos of support among barangay captains. Photos of the purported pro-PECO manifesto with P2,000 cash also circulated in social media.

City Councilor Joshua Alim, a staunch critic of PECO, said he is aware of the alleged bribery issue.

“Somebody sent me a picture and base didto may P2,000, duha ka pieces of P1,000 peso bill sa letter but I cannot really determine if ila na sang PECO ang nagapalibot. Pero ang isa ka pamangkot sin-o ang may interest para kumbinsihon nga ma-support PECO kundi PECO man,” he said.

Afzelius said the purpose of the letter or manifesto is to spare Iloilo City consumers from the uncertainty caused by MORE Power’s attempt to take over the power distribution service.

“In this stage nga (MORE Power and Electric Co.) MORE Power has no definite plan for the city of Iloilo, we need the support from the people of Iloilo especially from our valued consumers for the renewal of our franchise that is basically why we are sending our letters,” he added.

Afzelius added that they have been supportive to the barangays through their different projects.

“We support the barangays through our projects whether it be the electric meters, the poles or the wires that need to be fixed and replaced, that is how we support the barangays. In return, we are asking for support from barangays and from different people through letters to get support in this time of need,” he said.

But he clarified that the letters is not a form of legal action.

“This is not a legal action. We have not started any legal action. These are just letters of support,” he stressed.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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