Congress renews Meralco franchise for 25 years
(UPDATE) VOTING 18-1-0, the Senate renewed the franchise of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for another 25 years. Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted "no" on House Bill 10926 granting the franchise to Meralco, saying the company "throughout the years failed to abide by its obligations to serve the consumers as reflected by excessively high electricity bills." "Before even considering a franchise renewal, my view is that Meralco should be made to properly refund its customers for its past overcollections," she said. Hontiveros said the overcollection needs to be addressed before any further steps are taken. "We need stronger protections and guidelines, set in law so that consumers will be protected, even when regulatory agencies fail, refuse to, or are unable to act," she said. "We should not reward Meralco's misdeeds with a brand new legislative franchise. They should first return the billions they over-collected from the people," she added. The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and four foreign chambers of commerce in January pushed for the renewal of Meralco's franchise for another 25 years to continue business confidence in the manufacturing sector. Sen. Joel Villanueva filed Senate Bill 2824, which seeks to grant Meralco a fresh 25-year authority to operate. He cited Meralco's critical role in ensuring the continuance of delivering service to millions of homes and businesses. The senator said Meralco has powered businesses, industries, and households with "reliable electricity — driving progress and supporting economic growth." The FPI, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (AmCham), the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc. (JCCPI), and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines supported the renewal of Meralco's franchise. "Meralco has long been a partner in our nation's progress, but with that partnership comes accountability. This bill ensures that Meralco continues to meet the needs of our people while preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the future," Villanueva said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) VOTING 18-1-0, the Senate renewed the franchise of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for another 25 years.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted "no" on House Bill 10926 granting the franchise to Meralco, saying the company "throughout the years failed to abide by its obligations to serve the consumers as reflected by excessively high electricity bills."
"Before even considering a franchise renewal, my view is that Meralco should be made to properly refund its customers for its past overcollections," she said.
Hontiveros said the overcollection needs to be addressed before any further steps are taken.
"We need stronger protections and guidelines, set in law so that consumers will be protected, even when regulatory agencies fail, refuse to, or are unable to act," she said.
"We should not reward Meralco's misdeeds with a brand new legislative franchise. They should first return the billions they over-collected from the people," she added.
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and four foreign chambers of commerce in January pushed for the renewal of Meralco's franchise for another 25 years to continue business confidence in the manufacturing sector.
Sen. Joel Villanueva filed Senate Bill 2824, which seeks to grant Meralco a fresh 25-year authority to operate. He cited Meralco's critical role in ensuring the continuance of delivering service to millions of homes and businesses.
The senator said Meralco has powered businesses, industries, and households with "reliable electricity — driving progress and supporting economic growth."
The FPI, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (AmCham), the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc. (JCCPI), and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines supported the renewal of Meralco's franchise.
"Meralco has long been a partner in our nation's progress, but with that partnership comes accountability. This bill ensures that Meralco continues to meet the needs of our people while preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the future," Villanueva said.
