WE ASSUME that the people of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), especially the businessmen, are now extremely happy with the issuance of a Writ of Possession to Davao Light and Power Co. of some assets of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco). The order was issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34 based in Panabo City.
The Davao City-based power distribution company filed a petition for the issuance of the writ based on the passage of Republic Act No. 12144, which authorizes the expansion of the power firm’s distribution areas now served by the power cooperative.
It may be recalled that the local government of IGaCoS has been complaining of the poor quality of electric distribution in the city. IGaCoS officials and the people of the city are one in saying that the poor electric service by the electric cooperative is stunting the city’s socio-economic growth.
With the effectivity of RA 12144, the island city is starting to feel bullish about its economic potentials especially the tourism industry.
But of course, Nordeco is still not losing hope that it can retain its franchise. A few weeks back, two Partylist congressmen whose groups are identified with carrying the interest of electric cooperatives, filed a bill seeking the extension of the life of Nordeco’s franchise. And we are certain that the sponsors would not have the courage to introduce their bill if they were not prepared with all the necessary support arguments.
The question now is whether Congress will reverse itself in its approval of RA 12144. Of course, we are just hoping that the Davao Light-Nordeco tug-of-war will end up like the supposed relief of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Col. Mannan Muarip. That is, that a formal turnover – or handover if you wish to term it – by the old franchisee will end up an “overturn” instead.
Again, will the people of IGaCoS and the local government be starting to rejoice with this latest development – the issuance of a Writ of Possession – the signal for the start of the flow of quality electricity in that island city?
What if the power cooperative seeks the Supreme Court’s intervention by putting on hold the effectivity of RA 12144 until Congress makes its final decision on the bill seeking Nordeco’s franchise extension?
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So the Supreme Court (RC) has finally ruled against the petition by the House of Representatives seeking reversal of the SC’s unanimous decision declaring VP Sara’s impeachment in 2025 as violating the ban on filing more than one impeachment rap in a period of one year?
We have no doubt – even an iota of it – about the correctness of the decision. But we believe that the issuance of the ruling will no longer have much significant impact on Congress, as having committed a violation of the Constitutional mandate.
Why? It is because the release of the ruling came out barely a month after the one-year bar was to expire. Meaning, if certain groups and the House of Representatives are still overzealous in having the VP impeached, they only have to wait for another month, and they can do a reprise of their action to oust the Vice President through impeachment.
But whether a new impeachment case against the second-highest official of the land will succeed is, of course, a totally different story.
So, it would be another case of “Let us to see.”
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Is there really an arrest warrant against Sen Bato dela Rosa from the International Criminal Court (ICC)? In a recent television interview, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, he told the television audience that all he is aware of is a statement by his brother, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, that he came across a soft copy of the arrest warrant. An electronic copy, of course, cannot be a legitimate basis to execute what is ordered.
In other words, the arrest order on the Davaoeno Senator is, until now, still a story in the grapevine – a ‘ghost.’ But Senator Bato, however, is putting legitimacy on the existence of the arrest warrant from the ICC. Yes, his continued absence from the Senate’s official functions, including its sessions, is somehow confirming his going into hiding for months now.
In the first place, why will he make himself out of sight of the general public if he is certain that the reported Arrest Warrant does not exist? Did he not loudly manifest his willingness to provide former President Rodrigo Duterte company in his detention cell in The Hague, Netherland?
We are actually not wishing the good senator to be incarcerated, much as we also believe that the former President deserves his detention.
However, we would be more proud as Davaoeño if Senator Bato would stand by his words of not being afraid of giving the former Philippine leader company. It would also help boost his image as an uncompromising lawmaker by making his presence in the Senate and fulfilling his responsibilities despite talk of his pending arrest.
