God bless PECO

“Good luck needs no explanation.”

—Shirley Temple

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT was a tight decision.

In boxing, the defeat of Panay Electric Company (PECO) to More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE) in the Supreme Court was a split decision, not a technical knockout (TKO).

Since “it wasn’t a convincing win”, PECO is still hoping for a last-ditch miracle to turn the tide through an appeal.

Even if the chances for SC to reverse its own ruling are nil, PECO legal counsel, Atty. Estrella Elamparo, said PECO hasn’t thrown in the towel yet.

“We will continue to pursue the available legal remedies to defend PECO’s constitutional rights.  Despite this temporary setback, we remain optimistic that we will ultimately be vindicated not just for PECO but for the people of Iloilo,” Elamparo said in a statement. “The tight vote lends support to our position that the takeover of PECO’s properties is not the exercise of eminent domain contemplated by our laws, but a violation of constitutional rights.”

Good luck on your appeal, PECO.

The 8-6 verdict upheld MORE’s control over the power distribution business in Iloilo City, paving the way for Enrique Razon Jr.’s company to wrest the legal right to serve the Ilonggo electric consumers. 

 

-o0o-

 

The SC decision thus has set aside the order issued by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) and declaring Sections 10 and 17 of Republic Act No. 11212 (MORE’s franchise) as constitutional, according to SC public information chief and spokesperson, Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka, who explained: “In granting the petitions, the Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the Regional Trial Court of Mandaluyong City Branch 209  in Civil Case No. R-MND-19-00571, and declared Section 10 and 17 of RA No. 11212 constitutional.”

We expect Mr. Razon to be magnanimous in victory and will now focus on how to upgrade MORE’s facilities and buttress the firm’s other physical assets.

Whatever will happen next, PECO had fought a good fight. 

It’s time to move on.

Everything is now history.

For all the years that PECO had been part of the Ilonggos’ household, it isn’t easy to just dismiss its memory during its halcyon years.

Good luck and God bless, PECO.

 

-o0o-

  

MY MEMORY OF PECO. Back in May 1993 when the Panay Electric Company (PECO) was applying for a 25-year extension of franchise in the Iloilo City Council, among the demands of the committee on public services, environmental protection and committee on ecology, transportation, energy and public utilities from the power utility’s top echelons during the public hearings was to put up a meter reading system.

Among the central issues raised against PECO was the “astronomical” distribution and generations fees, and, of course, the “lack of proper meter reading system” that irked so many consumers, including the late prominent businessman William Bayani, who filed a case against PECO.

For several weeks, PECO underwent intense grilling from Councilors German Gonzalez, Achilles Plagata, Rolando Dabao, Eduardo Laczi, and Perla Zulueta.

It was agreed that the meter reading system was necessary in order to provide the correct and accurate reading of the power consumed by the consumers and avoid overcharging.

The City Council approved PECO’s application for extension of franchise. 

Under the law, it must get Congress’ imprimatur after sailing through the local legislature.

Before PECO got endorsement from the City Council, it was bombarded with multitudes of complaints from various consumers groups in a series of public hearings.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ilonggos want a stable power supply, not finger-pointing

“You get a reputation for stability if you are stable for years.”

—Mark Zuckerberg

By Alex P. Vidal

LET us take into consideration the main interest and priority of power consumers in Iloilo City: a stable power supply.

After they have been annoyed by several unscheduled blackouts, “a stable power supply” is the only language they would always want to hear.

The power consumers may be satisfied that the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has taken an initial step to address the baffling power outages these past months when it called for a committee investigation on June 30, but they will be more happy if given an assurance that there will be no more power interruptions as immoderate and egregious as the ones that occurred while the residents had been mandated to stay at home amid the pandemic restrictions.

They will be happier if the problem on power outage is resolved soon without hearing one party point an accusing finger at another party.

Uninterrupted power supply is their utmost priority even before the COVID-19 pandemic came; they want it now, and they want it quick. 

They are aware that the longer it will take for the SP to act on the matter, the more they will agonize now that we are in the middle of the summer season. 

-o0o-

They may not be interested in the dispute between the More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and Panay Electric Company (PECO), let alone hear the Department of Energy (DoE) recite some technical terms that will create more perplexing questions than direct answers to their main concerns.

Moreover, the Ilonggo power consumers may scoff at an SP inquiry riddled with so much rancor and extended debate, especially if they feel the commotion will not immediately redound to the quick resolution of the problem.

A long debate means both parties are wrong.

An extended hearing means life will remain unbearable for thousands of power consumers who will end up in the losing end. 

The power consumers have a short tolerance when it comes to disruption of their normal lives where the role of electricity is essential and a necessity.

It’s no longer a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

It’s should now be “fix it and stop fighting. Period.”

-o0o-

NOW that the law on Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) has been passed in the Philippines, let us be reminded that manners are actually important to make a good impression on others in everyday life. 

They also help us to feel good about ourselves and our identities.

No matter where we are, at home—with kids, at work—with colleagues, or with friends, practicing good manners are important. 

If we practice good manners, we are showing those around us that we are considerate to their feelings and also respect them. 

We are also setting standards for other’s behavior and encouraging them to treat us with similar respect.

Florence Lewis of Jobcluster has listed some of the basic examples of good manners and etiquettes:

—Choose your words wisely and don’t rush to comment about things you don’t know much about. Being a good listener is often better than speaking. You don’t need to have an opinion on everything.

—Think things out before you speak, especially if you are a person who may be poor at finding the right words to say. Don’t start a sentence, with ‘ums’ and ‘ers’ in between, it seems awkward and you should try speaking to yourself in front of a mirror, it works! It increases your confident in speaking.

—Don’t speak loudly. You will quickly lose respect if you do, as this can be seen as overbearing and rude. It can also make other people angry and upset with you before you even establish some kind of relationship with them. They will see you as a ‘big mouth’ who cannot be trusted with anything confidential. So practice turning your volume down if you tend to have a loud voice.

—Speak with respect to and of others. You can do this by avoiding negative remarks that may insult someone else. The general rule is- if you don’t want someone to speak about you that way, you don’t speak about them to others.

—Do not ever speak of bodily functions even if it is a casual conversation, such as using the bathroom or telling crude jokes, for this shows sign of immaturity and often creates a bad impression of you with your friends, family, and co-workers.

—Always respect older people and listen to them and learn. This applies to all elders and not just parents and grandparents.

Using the terms ‘Thank You’, and ‘You are Welcome’ shows that you have good manners. People who lack manners do not use these terms.

Hold open a door for anyone following you closely. This is a sign of a good manner and has never changed. There are no strict gender rules in this day and age.

—Speak highly of your parents respect them, even if there are things about them that you do not like. If you cannot do that, stay away from speaking about them at all. It looks bad to insult or speak badly of the people who brought you into this world or raised you. Don’t wash dirty family laundry in public. It is negative and rude.

—Do not swear to use filth language and curse words. It is unprofessional! People who do this are usually very immature and have no self-control or respect for themselves and others!

Good manners are simply respect and consideration for others or being aware of the needs of others. 

They are the oil which lubricates the friction of interpersonal relations and creates a happy and successful society. 

So, Give Respect and Take Respect!

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Power blackout probe: SP’s time to shine

“To avoid a blackout, electricity generating companies must lower generation in line with low demand.”

—Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia

By Alex P. Vidal

FOR the first time since after the May 13, 2019 elections, the Iloilo City council or the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), will finally hog headlines when the inquiry on the frequent power blackouts that hit Iloilo City these past months will unfurl in the SP committee on public utilities on June 30, 2020.

The committee hearing is expected to attract a huge media attention since the invited parties are all heavyweights in the power industry—MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), Panay Electric Company (PECO), and the Department of Energy (DoE).

The Iloilo Business Club (IBC) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) regional office are also expected to be present.  

No other major issues have been tackled in the local legislature these past 12 months, thus the Ilonggos would be very eager to hear from their city councilors, who have started to load extra bullets in their revolvers during their regular session on June 23. 

This may not be a namby-pamby discussion, but it is something that will at least help shed light on the causes of blackouts and their origins, in one way or the other.  

Fireworks and tremors will finally shift from the executive branch or the office of Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas  to the domain of Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.  

It’s now time for the city council to shine.

-o0o

Through the committee investigation, Ilonggo consumers will be able to understand and be enlightened about the frequent power interruptions, especially the ones that irritated and angered a lot of Ilonggos during the weekend, these past weeks.

Even during the pandemic lockdown, the power outage would sometimes last for 13 hours, it was reported.

Since MORE Power has been using the same distribution facilities formerly managed and owned by its rival PECO, both electric corporations are expected to bring a tennis table and nail each other during the committee hearing.

Interestingly, the blackouts occurred when the distribution of electric supply to thousands of consumers in the metropolis was already under the stewardship of MORE Power, owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr.

Could the power blackouts have been avoided had Razon’s company purchased and used their own facilities before elbowing out PECO from the scene?

What has happened to MORE Power’s “promise” to build some P1.8 billion worth of facilities once it has taken over the power distribution management from PECO?

These are some of the questions that might possibly surface during the committee investigation.

-o0o-

Once the SP committee hearing will kick off, public attention will focus on the city government’s legislative body for many days as long as the topic continues to be relevant.

All the possible defense mechanism by MORE Power to justify the objects of the power consumers’ scorn will be scrutinized and examined piece by piece.   

PECO’s attempt, on the other hand, to portray MORE Power as an eager-beaver but unfit and unprepared service provider will be reevaluated, but will have a lesser impact on whatever final recommendation and verdict on the investigation. 

Even if the committee hearing will yield a report conclusively pointing to MORE Power’s negligence, it won’t change anything in as far as the granting of franchise to MORE Power to operate in Iloilo City is concerned.

The SP can censure parties that are neglectful, not resourceful, inept, and bungling and may recommend measures that can help alleviate the woes on blackouts, but it can’t strip any party of authority to continue serving the local power consumers. 

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

SP probe shouldn’t be in aid of condemnation

“The next time you experience a blackout, take some solace by looking at the sky. You will not recognize it.”

—Nassim Nicholas Taleb

By Alex P. Vidal

MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) might walk into an ambush site when they attend the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee investigation spearheaded by the Committee on Public Utilities chaired by Councilor Romel Duron on June 30, 2020.
The hearing has been called to shed light on the disturbing frequency of power interruptions experienced by Iloilo City residents these past weeks amid the pandemic lockdown.
The power consumers’ irritation and inconvenience apparently have already reached boiling point that five aldermen: Eduardo Penaredondo, Ely Estante, Jay Trenas, Allan Zaldivar, and Duron are now itching to mount their horses and confront MORE Power in the Rubicon.
During the SP regular session on June 23, Penaredondo, et al started to warmup for the June 30 committee hearing by blasting MORE Power’s “frustrating” services, a telltale sign of the portent of things to come for the embattled MORE Power.
Despite the imminent entrapment, supporters of MORE Power are only hoping that the SP committee hearing will be done in aid of legislation, not in aid of condemnation.

-o0o-

Penaredondo himself admitted that “his heart trembled” in frustration aside from being “dismayed”, lamenting that the Ilonggo consumers don’t deserve a “lousy” performance as far as power is concerned.
The most senior SP member also recalled MORE Power’s promise to deliver a P1.8 billion modernization plan for their facilities which was reechoed by Estante who chided the new power distributor for not buying their own facilities.
Based on what transpired in the SP regular session on June 23, MORE Power has already been forewarned of the kind of artillery attack that awaits them on June 30.
What they don’t know is the type of ammunition their inquisitors will use during the firefight.
MORE Power is aware they will be grilled only for the deplorable blackouts that sometimes lasted for 13 hours especially during the weekend.
They will come only to justify the high tide and the low tide, not to own up to a tsunami.
They are aware they will have to always lean on the Department of Energy (DOE), which speaks their language concerning the problem’s technical aspect, for succor if push comes to shove.
Panay Electric company (PECO) will be as excited as the panel of inquisitors, but anything they will say that will bring further disdain and infamy to MORE Power will only be dismissed as a sourgraping and a wishful thinking since they are now “outside the kulambo,” so to speak.

-o0o-

WE’RE glad to have made a decision to stay put in New York City during the pandemic lockdown since March.
Anyone coming to New York from a state currently hard hit by the virus would now have to quarantine for two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced June 24.
The restrictions were reportedly based on specific health metrics related to the coronavirus.
Travelers from eight states—as well as New Yorkers returning from those states—would have to quarantine, at the moment.
Cuomo said: “We now have to make sure that the rate continues to drop. A lot of people come into this region and they could literally bring the infection with them. It wouldn’t be malicious or malevolent, but it would still be real.”
Failure to quarantine in New York could reportedly result in thousand-dollar fines.
Travelers to New Jersey and Connecticut would also be told to quarantine, though officials from both states said there was no enforcement mechanism at the moment.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

What to expect during SP probe on Iloilo City blackout

“Of the various branches of electrical investigation, perhaps the most interesting and immediately the most promising is that dealing with alternating currents.”

—Nikola Tesla

By Alex P. Vidal

AT this early, we already anticipate what might happen on June 30, 2020 when the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) in Iloilo City opens up an investigation “in aid of legislation” on the frequent power outages experienced by Ilonggo consumers these past months.
MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the main cast in the hullaballoo, won’t be there definitely just to absorb all the brickbats and catch all the uppercuts and roundhouse kicks.
“In aid of MORE Power”, the Department of Energy (DOE) might pick up the cudgels and help justify the causes of power interruptions like the way it explained everything in the media.
We can already anticipate, in fact, the DOE telling the SP Committee on Public Utilities, chaired by Councilor Romel Duron, that the successive power blackouts occurred “because the MORE Power needed complete maintenance work at substation 2 or the Jaro substation of the electric distribution facility.”
The same excuses and justification.

-o0o-

We won’t be surprised if MORE Power, or even the DOE, will go to the extent of pinning the blame on Panay Electric Company (PECO), which controlled and was responsible for the substation’s maintenance until March 2020 when MORE Power took over the facility by virtue of a court order.
MORE Power had claimed earlier the Jaro substation “had not undergone maintenance for the past six or seven years when it was still under PECO’s charge.”
PECO, of course, won’t allow itself to be used as the punching bag and the scapegoat in the imbroglio and might even take the opportunity to step up its indictment of MORE Power for the seemingly abysmal services to the consumers which happened during the pandemic lockdown.
It will be a pingpong match anew between the two rival electric companies.

-o0o-

And if lawyers from both parties will be allowed to join the fray, the SP committee hearing could be transformed into another venue for MORE Power’s and PECO’s display of supremacy and authority.
In terms of management capability and resources, MORE Power and PECO will try to out-duke each other in order to avoid the ax of culpability and public rebuke.
Councilors Eduardo Penaredondo and Ely Estante are among those who have openly expressed displeasure on the 13-hour power blackouts that almost occurred on a regular basis especially during the weekend.
They are expected to empty their cylinders during the committee hearing and won’t take sides.
The aldermen are so worried for the consequences in the metropolis’ tourism and economy.
The bottomline here should be accountability and efficient services to the consumers.
We are also weighing the problem of successive and long period of power blackouts to the impact on local economy especially now that everything seems to be in tatters due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Which is why there is a need to conduct the committee investigation in order to iron out some kinks and resolve whatever inefficiency and negligence committed by parties concerned.

-o0o-

New York, the place where I currently live, is now inching its way to the last two of the four phases in the reopening of economy.
After the Empire State implemented blanket shutdown orders in March that closed stores, shuttered offices and curtailed business at restaurants and bars, state officials set up a gradual process to restart the state’s economy and ease restrictions.
Regions of New York that show they have been able to effectively keep the virus contained can reopen sectors of the economy in four phases, under the state’s plan.
Still, all phases of the reopening require us here to adhere to social distancing guidelines, including wearing masks or face coverings in crowded public spaces, on public or private transportation or in for-hire vehicles.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Too fast, too soon

“Electricity is really just organized lightning.”
—George Carlin

By Alex P. Vidal

WHEN power interruptions began to annoy the residents of Iloilo City amid the coronavirus-mandated lockdown early this month, we sounded an alarm that enemies of More Electric Power and Corporation (MORE Power), particularly its rival Panay Electric Company (PECO), might use the furor to pound MORE Power with heavy molotov before the bar of public opinion.
This was after the metropolis experienced a nerve-tingling 13-hour power blackout first week of May.
“The Ilonggos are ruthless and unforgiving when it comes to protesting against any power outage,” I warned in my article. They don’t care anymore if it is PECO or More Power that provides them electric services. Just give them a fair deal and they won’t give a damn which power company to acknowledge. All they want is efficient service and unhampered power distribution. Anything less would mean an apocalypse of verbal denunciation.”
Another “long” power blackout will again reportedly occur anytime this month and in the coming weeks thereafter. 
True or not, this isn’t funny anymore.
MORE Power better shape up or shut up.

-o0o-

ON the other hand, we find it too premature for Congress to jump into the gun battle and “probe” the “frequent” power interruptions under the tutelage of MORE Power. 
In fact, House Resolution No. 785 has already been reportedly filed “probing the status of the distribution of electricity in Iloilo City to ensure that power distribution will not cease and that the people of Iloilo will not be affected” by Party List Rep. Sony Lagon.
Too fast. Too soon. So embryonic.
MORE Power is only in the infant stage of serving the Ilonggos and it will now face the Inquisition because of a wispy crime?
It looks like somebody has been waiting only for someone inside the movie house to slip in the banana peel and shout “fire”.

 -o0o-

A 40-YEAR-OLD mother from Arevalo, Iloilo City has a message for Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones:
Dear Secretary Briones, I believe you have so many fulfillments in life. I also believe your parents were so uncompromising in taking care of you when you were a child, protecting your skin from the mosquitoes and other elements. I further believe your parents would never want to put you in any danger and risk your life just to fulfill their dreams for you. And I strongly believe you are aware that education is not the only important bridge to become successful. My teacher once said, “You should have the sense of empathy towards your fellowmen.” 
It could also succinctly mean that education is nothing if we don’t know how to consider the feelings of others. In short, be sensitive enough to the needs of others by putting your shoes on the parents of the students.  
To reach your age is what we parents have dreamt for our children. Do you think if we send our children to school and study in a room with a maximum capacity of 15, they will be secured from the coronavirus? 
As a doctor of education, you are considered as “witty and well-trained” in all aspects of strategies in the field of teaching. You have been through a lot of trainings that have sharpened your skills not only as a good teacher but also as a better person and a responsible parent.
May I respectfully suggest that instead of sending our children to school in these uncertain times, let’s adopt a system where we can use the modular and give the students scheduled tests at home?
I am motivated by a desire to have a better plan in teaching instead of complaining and doing nothing. I am also a mother and very much aware like other mothers that this year’s education can be considered as a bonus.
The whole school year, even without the COVID-19, some students always have a hard time coping up with their studies at school because of so many hindrances; some of which, aside from the coronavirus, are overpopulation of students, limited number and sizes of classrooms, and shortage of teachers. 
The specter of COVID-19 has resulted in the exodus of more OFWs going home, and most of them are husbands of teachers and parents of children we have exhorted to strictly follow the social distancing at school.
When they sit in their chairs, move in their surroundings, and use the comfort rooms, how are they going to disinfect? And what about the teachers? Who will protect them? 
Norman Cousins once said, “Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.”
As a parent, I can’t in my conscience put to risk the safety of my children.
Education is important but I value my children’s life over their dreams to become professionals someday. Coronavirus might turn their bright future into ashes; I love my children so much and they are my life.
I also call on my fellow parents to reecho my sentiments and help campaign for the modular mechanism and teach our children at home. Remember we can do this all together because we are the first parents and their teachers are the second. Secretary Briones hear us parents! LOVELYN “LOVEFAYES” PANIZAL-GEDUQUE.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

PNP chief no backbone

“Don't find fault, find a remedy.”

—Henry Ford

By Alex P. Vidal

IT’S been more than a week since Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Franciso Gamboa threatened to relieve regional police directors who can’t stop illegal gambling operations in their respective jurisdictions.

We were among those who expressed skepticism that illegal gambling, which is deeply rooted in the psyche of Filipinos enamored with the games of chance, will be banished in only seven days—unless the regional police directors are supermen.

Since we haven’t heard of reports that heads rolled in as far as Gamboa’s edict was concerned, we assume that the regional directors have successfully implemented and satisfied the PNP chief’s wishes.

But if one day illegal gambling operations will once again “resurface” or if reports will come out that there are—or have been—clandestine operations of illegal gambling monitored in certain areas, this means Gamboa is not being respected and feared by his men.

This means he isn’t different from other past PNP director generals who had also used the “stop-the-illegal-gambling-operations” soliloquy to impress the public but did not have the instinctual will to walk their talk. 

This means Gamboa, too, is puro laway (all saliva) and no backbone as leader of the 191,000 police force.

-o0o-

Don’t confuse the public.

This must be the gist of Iloilo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 23 Presiding Judge Emerald Requina-Contreras’ order after after MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) went on what appeared to be a “post victory celebration” binge following the sheriffs’ implementation of the writ of possession in favor of MORE Power against its rival Panay Electric Company (PECO) on February 27 issued by the sala of Requina-Contreras.

The judge directed MORE Power "to remove all the ads pertaining to its full operation pending the resolution of the foregoing."

The ordered added: "MORE Power already made announcements on broadcast and social media that they are now in full operation of the distribution facilities of Iloilo City.”

The lady judge virtually put a gag order on MORE Power’s claim that it is now the sole power distributor in Iloilo City vice the PECO after the February 27 blitzkrieg.

Not to fast, the presiding judge ruled.

According to the presiding judge, MORE Power "may deploy their personnel to man and oversee the substations to exercise their possession and control the distribution facilities but the operations of the facilities should still be handled by PECO personnel who have the technical expertise."

She added: "To maintain the status quo of the operations, so as to give time for MORE Power to orient/train/immerse their personnel, before they can fully take control of the operation."

-o0o-

IT’S HERE. The coronavirus is officially here in the city where I live. 

The latest new released by New York City Health Department is that the Manhattan lawyer hospitalized with coronavirus is in “severe condition.”

The lawyer, identified by New York Post sources as Lawrence Garbuz, 50, runs a boutique law firm with his wife that also employs one of their four kids as a paralegal, according to information posted online.

The seven-lawyer practice, Lewis & Garbuz, is located across the street from Grand Central Terminal and specializes in matters including personal planning and wealth management, estate litigation, guardianships and elder law, its website says.

Garbuz and his wife, also 50, both graduated from New York University and earned law degrees from Yeshiva University’s Cardozo School of Law before marrying in 1995, according to a wedding announcement published in the New York Times.

Garbuz was initially hospitalized Friday at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, but was transferred on Monday to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in Upper Manhattan when his condition worsened.

He is reportedly being treated in the Intensive Care Unit.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Paraw Regatta in times of coronavirus

“Fear, left unchecked, can spread like a virus.” 

― Lish McBride, Necromancing the Stone

By Alex P. Vidal

WHEN the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival 2020 finally unwraps on April 1-5, the entire planet may still not be totally safe from the rampage of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

COVID-19 may still continue to grab headlines and the talk of the town.

By that time, death toll may have risen globally (so far the virus has killed over 3,000 people worldwide, the vast majority in mainland China and there have been more than 80,000 global cases, with infections on every continent except Antarctica), but no one can tell if the virus will disappear.

No one can tell either if Ilonggos, who are expected to march to the city beaches to support and cheer for their paraw, originally a native-style outrigger sailing boat constructed from wood and bamboo, and is comprised of a single hull flanked by two outriggers for stability, are safer if the event was held on its original schedule on February 23-March 1.

Would the threat against the health of Ilonggos (joining the crowd to watch the event) lesser on April 1-5?

-o0o-

Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas confirmed the new schedule over the weekend as decided by officials of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) who met recently.

IFFI officials may have decided to push through with the popular festival—next to the Dinagyang Festival in January and Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria de Jaro in February—sooner or before the COVID-19 goes out of control and cripples whatever chances left to hold the festival during summertime.

Only one month separates the original from the new schedule.

Even if the coronavirus will be nipped in the bud this month, there is no guarantee that spectators watching the boat festival on April 1-5 won’t come home coughing and sneezing.

Since the coronavirus is feared to continue to wreak more havoc as it rapidly spreads globally, the Paraw Regatta Festival 2020 will fall within the period where people worldwide struggle to avoid if not overcome the virus’ deadly assault.

Now on its 48^th year, it will be a Paraw Regatta in times of the coronavirus.

-o0o-

SOME political figures who fought tongs and hammer against the embattled Panay Electric Company (PECO) since wayback in the 90’s went to the social media to express their “relief” that “finally, the battle (against PECO) has been won.”

This was after Iloilo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Emerald Requina-Contreras recently issued a writ of possession and was implemented by the Iloilo City Sheriff’s Office, paving the way for MORE Power to take over PECO’s multi-million distribution assets in Iloilo City.

The political figures also took potshots at some of their fellow politicians who supported PECO during the latter’s halcyon years.

“Where are the politicians who once backed you?” one of these “victorious” political figures boomed. “What have they done to help you?”

These politicians who once openly supported PECO are, of course, still very much active in public service; many of them even regained their powerful seats in government in the recent elections.

But they have become sitting ducks in this issue; they have no more power and influence to wield since PECO’s woes against the MORE Power were already beyond the ambit of grandstanding, politicking, influence-peddling, and arm-twisting.

It’s now the court that dictates the tempo of the game, and it is the final arbiter of the dispute, not anymore the politicians.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

  

‘Exorcism’: PECO’s body, MORE Power’s soul

“The general fact is that the most effective way of utilizing human energy is through an organized rivalry, which by specialization and social control is, at the same time, organized co-operation.”

—Charles Horton Cooley

By Alex P. Vidal

MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) is like a soul without a body.

In order to exist and function normally in the material world, it needs a body.

Panay Electric Company (PECO), on the other hand, still has its body intact but the soul is now wandering.

A crisis of colossal proportion erupts when MORE Power wants and insists to inhabit inside PECO’s body.

Claiming “it has a soul of its own”, PECO defiantly and forcefully shows recalcitrance as it rejects MORE Power’s “consolidation” try. 

PECO, as the body, thinks it is more of an invasion and an attempt to “power grab” and totally take over someone’s body. 

If MORE Power, as the soul, wants to legitimize its own existence, it must find its rightful body and co-exist with me, demands the PECO. 

 -o0o-

The caveat is, once PECO, as the body, allows MORE Power, as the soul, to integrate, PECO will lose not only its body but its wandering soul will have no more chance to reunite with the body.

But to PECO’s chagrin, MORE Power sought the divine intervention and the latter decreed that MORE Power, as the soul, must not only integrate but occupy PECO’s body.

After a partial “invasion” of the body has commenced, PECO petitions the “higher gods” to reverse or stop the decree of the “lower gods.”

PECO views MORE Power’s presence in its internal system as an “exorcism” or the expulsion or attempted expulsion of a supposed evil spirit from a person or place.

Will the “higher gods” order to drive away the soul (MORE Power) from the newly acquired body?

Or they will sustain the decree and ask the “conquered” body (PECO) to accept “defeat” and pave the way for the total take over? 

 The “higher gods’” decision is more interesting.

 -o0o- 

SOME of my friends in Washington state and the neighboring Vancouver in Canada started to panic on Saturday when news broke out early on February 29 that a male coronavirus patient (wrongfully identified earlier as a female) has died, marking the first death in the U.S. from COVID-19, the illness associated with the virus.

Three of them work in a health center and in a nursing home. They are all females. They asked me to confirm the report even if they have already monitored the news in their local media sources.

It’s confirmed.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was sending out information that it was responding to "the first possible outbreak" of the respiratory illness in a long-term care center in Washington. 

The death was not associated with that facility.

Health officials in Washington said 27 patients and 25 staff members at the center have symptoms associated with COVID-19.

The Life Care Center of Kirkland said in a statement that new patients and visitors were being turned away, and patients and staff "with symptoms or who were potentially exposed are quarantined."

-o0o-

It was reported that the person who died was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions, and there was no evidence he contracted the virus through travel, health officials said. 

They suspect domestic "community spread" of the disease, a new phase for the United States that began this week on the West Coast.

U.S. diplomatic officials said a 60-year old U.S. citizen diagnosed with the disease died Feb. 6 at Jinyintian Hospital in Wuhan, China.

The number of Americans who have so far contracted the virus, most overseas, rose to 69 Saturday, according to an NBC News tally.

Shortly after the announcement of the Washington death, President Donald Trump held a White House news conference to announce that the United States is issuing more travel restrictions and warnings to help prevent spread of the virus. 

He also said he is meeting with pharmaceutical executives to discuss work toward a coronavirus vaccine.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Santa Claus' timely visit to City Hall

"No sane local official who has hung up an empty stocking over the municipal fireplace, is going to shoot Santa Claus just before a hard Christmas."
--Al Smith

By Alex P. Vidal

SANTA Claus came to Iloilo City Hall just in time.
The check worth P134,927,522.63 personally delivered by Panay Electric Company (PECO) Public Engagement and Government Affairs office boss Marcelo Cacho to Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas and City Treasurer Jinny Hermano for its real property tax arrears on December 9 can be best described as "Merry Christmas payment."
The gargantuan amount was timely as it could help cover up so many expenses to be incurred by the city government in the Yuletide season, including the Christmas bonuses of employees, among other year-end financial obligations.
If Santa Claus did not come to the City Hall on time, Santa Claus and his family would have lost some multi-million pesos worth of properties the city government had been preparing to auction off.
It was but a right move in the right circumstance at the right time.

-o0o-

As a quid pro quo, the auction had been called off and everyone was happy, to say the least.
The decision to settle PECO's "long-overdue" (it reportedly accumulated since the past two administrations) real property tax arrears certainly wasn't made overnight.
The Cacho family and Mayor Treñas, a long-time family friend and once-upon-a-time PECO's legal counsel, probably had a "heart-to-heart" talk prior to Santa Claus' dramatic show up in the City Hall on Monday.
Thus I don't see any point why City Hall will continue to sustain its animosity with the controversial power firm now that the tax arrears have been settled.
Mayor Treñas, however, has to be fair to both the MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and the PECO, and will never interfere in the ongoing legal battle between the two firms.
If Ilonggos know how to read between the lines and the city mayor's body language, they can't make any absolute conclusion yet that the city mayor is hell-bent to abscond from its past relationship with the PECO.

-o0o-

ASIDE from the cash windfall Ilonggo athletes who won gold, silver, and bronze medals in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) hosted by the Philippines will get from the national government, the city and provincial government of Iloilo should also chip in and set aside special funds for these sports heroes in time for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
We suggest that a gold medalist be given P200,000; P100,000 for a silver medalist; and P50,000 for a bronze medalist.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will reportedly give P600,000 for a gold medalist; P400,000 for a silver medalist; and P200,000 for a bronze medalist.
The athletes have sacrificed so much to give our country honor, thus it is but proper that the national and local governments acknowledge their efforts and heroic performances by showering them with financial incentives.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

PECO's 'humility'; my advice to Bacolod aldermen

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility."
--Saint Augustine

By Alex P. Vidal

THE humility shown by the Panay Electric Company (PECO) when it settled its real property tax arrears amounting to more than P134 million with the Iloilo City government on December 9, has eclipsed all the negative stories appended to the power firm's name by its detractors these past months.
It also stunned PECO's enemies who have been composing its obituary these past 11 months.
No less than PECO Public Engagement and Government Affairs office boss Marcelo Cacho personally delivered a check for P134,927,522.63 to the City Hall received by Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo "Jerry" Treñas and City Treasurer Jinny Hermano.
Cacho's classic move beat to the draw the threat of the city government to auction the multi-million worth of PECO properties included in the tax arrears.
The payment covered the value of PECO properties covered by two tax assessments.

-o0o-

PECO showed to all and sundry it's not yet a dead horse or a Zeppelin Hindenburg that is about to burst into flames contrary to what its critics have been portraying PECO.
No giant company under threat of extinction can hammer out such brilliant move just when everyone thought it was ready to be nailed in the coffin.
How can the City Hall now adopt an indifferent attitude toward a productive and "responsible" tax payer?
City Hall can't kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
It would be estoppel if the city government will cease to transact business with PECO now that it has wiped out all its outstanding tax liabilities.
PECO's latest action can certainly help boost its case against MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), which has been granted a franchise to operate as power distributor in Iloilo City when PECO's 24-year franchise expired in January 2019.

-o0o-

The Bacolod City Council will look and sound ridiculous if it goes on with its threat to declare Manil-based broadcaster Ben Tulfo as "persona non grata" or an unacceptable or unwelcome person.
The city aldermen's beef against Tulfo came from the broadcaster's criticism and "embarrassing" attack against Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia "and (for) putting the city of Bacolod in a bad light in his YouTube program without first verifying the claims of a certain Norma."
“Norma” supposedly sought Tulfo's help alleging she was not paid for a basketball tournament she organized in Bacolod City last October during the Masskara Festival.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and city councilors sympathetic to Leonardia claimed the Masskara Festival had nothing to do with "Norma's" basketball event.
They vouched for the city mayor who claimed innocence on the issue and who himself begrudged Tulfo's tirades.
What will the Bacolod City Council or the Bacolod City government in general get if Tulfo has been declared as persona non grata? Nothing except a waste of time and a waste of tax payers' money.
Tulfo is "only" a broadcast journalist and will remain as such even if all the city councils in the Philippines will declare him as persona non grata. He has no supernatural power; he isn't the court and doesn't have any legal personality.
His job is to bark at inept and corrupt public officials and men in uniform and make them angry. When they are mad, that's when the likes of Tulfo become successful.
Making people in government and military men blow their top is mission accomplished for crusading journalists.

-o0o-

The persona non grata tag won't stop Tulfo from his role as watchdog and "fiscalizer" of the government's three branches: executive, legislative, judiciary.
Tulfo, or any journalist for that matter, doesn't fear such threat from any legislative branch of the government. It will even embolden Tulfo to further scrutinize and lambast corrupt and inept public officials.
My advice to the Bacolod City Council is this: Belie Tulfo's accusations and unmask Norma in the same platform: public forum or the bar of public opinion; and call a press conference and/or issue a press statement airing Leonardia's side.
The people aren't stupid not to distinguish who's telling the truth. 

That's how democracy works.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

It's not yet over 'til the fat lady sings

“True, it's not over till it's over. And even when it's over, it just begins again.”
― Kate McGahan

By Alex P. Vidal

THE final hymn wasn't played yet.
But it looks like MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) will close the year 2019 with a major edge over its rival, Panay Electric Company (PECO), with its recent victory in the Supreme Court that halted the implementation of the ruling of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) declaring two sections of MORE Power’s franchise law void and unconstitutional.
Ilonggos saw MORE Power and PECO spend the 2019 in bloody legal skirmishes.
PECO, for sure, still have several aces up its sleeves and isn't in the mood yet of throwing in the white towel.
After this latest major setback in the SC, PECO is expected to go back to the drawing board and prepare for the next showdown with the MORE Power when they start the 2020 next month.
The more PECO is wounded, the more it is emboldened to assemble a larger army for a bigger battle.
After having seized the superior position, MORE Power won't sleep on its victory; instead, it is expected to tighten up its grip in the pivotal SC en banc decision and sustain the juggernaut.
The suspense and thriller movie of the year the Ilonggo electric consumers have started watching in 2019 will have a more intense and complicated continuation in 2020.

-o0o-

POLICE Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) Spokesperson, Lt. Colonel Joem Malong called as "fake news" the report that several school kids in Western Visayas were recently abducted by a group of men from Manila.
A "wrong information" is different from "fake news."
Since the abduction story was false, it's a wrong story or wrong information.
It can only be called as "fake news" if it was announced in the public in the form of a legitimate news item in the media: newspaper, TV, radio, Internet.
But if it came from unreliable and unverified sources and spread only in the coffee shops, barber shops, in casual conversations with no factual basis and not even a raw data, it's a plain and simple "wrong information."
Since the story about the abduction of school children was never processed as a news item (meaning it never met the basic news ingredients of who, what, why, when, and how) it could not be qualified to be in the category of a legitimate news; therefore it shouldn't be called as "fake news."
It maybe called only as a "kotso-kotso" (gossip) or "himu-himu estorya" (fabricated story).

-o0o-

The splendid performances of our athletes in the ongoing 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) being hosted by the Philippines and the pomp and glorious display of excellence by the host country during the opening ceremonies is a different story.
We should be proud of it as Filipinos; we must proclaim it all over the world. No problem with that.
But the alleged corruption in massive scale of the country's sports officials and the accountability of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano as head of the Philippine Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) is another story.
We shouldn't be too overwhelmed by the success of our athletes and the splendor of the opening programs and parades that we will become deaf, mute, and blind to the major concern: some P6 billion of taxpayers money should be accounted for--only when all the athletes have gone home to their respective countries and the games were over.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)