PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

Meralco rate hike, callous and oppressive political quid pro quo at the people's expense
December 2, 2003

The Communist Party of the Philippines today said that the order by the Energy Regulatory Commission allowing Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to increase its rates by the start of the New Year is callously oppressive and exploitative of the people and revealing of an obnoxious political quid pro quo between the Arroyo regime and the Lopez clan.

In a statement, CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that the candidacy of Noli de Castro as Arroyo's vice-presidential running mate to ensure the Lopezes' political as well as economic interests in Malaca�ang is also a key ingredient in the ongoing political negotiations between the two camps.

According to Rosal, "the power rate increases show how Arroyo's presidential bid is a burden on the people."

"She is in complete disregard of the people's welfare. In Arroyo's anxious desire to serve the interests of big business and win the support of the biggest compradors and political financiers, she completely disregards the people's welfare," Rosal stressed. The power rate hike will result in P2 billion in added burden to power consumers and the people.

Rosal also said that the irregular and precipitate character of the power hike order only show that the two camps are in a rush to clinch their horse trading at the expense of the people. The order was made "provisional" as the legally required public hearings before the order are set to start only on December 22. Rosal stated that Arroyo hopes that the holiday activities will discourage and stymie legal opposition and protest actions.

Negotiations also include a deal to protect Maynilad from claimants to its $350 million overdue debts and unpaid dues. Maynilad is the Lopez-owned water services concession for southern Metro Manila whose performance bond is now being claimed by creditors.

"The CPP joins the people in condemning and opposing the unjust and utterly burdensome rate increases imposed by the Lopez power and water services monopolies," Rosal said.

"Hindi pa nga nila lubusang naisasauli ang pagkakautang nila sa mga consumer, heto't dadagdagan na naman nila ang singil," Rosal said. "This is thoroughly anti-people."

"We expect ordinary consumers and an aggrieved people to pour out into the streets in a show of protest against this latest power rate increase," Rosal added. "The streets will be venues for chants of protests instead of Christmas carols."#

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553



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