Legal action versus “bogus” Iloilo consumer group eyed
'Genuine' Koalisyon Bantay Kuryente not connected with complaint at ERC
THE president of the ‘Koalisyon Bantay Kuryente’ (KBK) a broad-based consumer advocacy group in Iloilo City, said they would take a “firm stand” against two individuals who were identified as behind the filing of a complaint at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) against MORE Power Corporation in tandem with the Panay Electric Company (PECO), the city’s former utility distributor.
Halley Alcarde, president of the Koalisyon Bantay Kuryente (KBK), Inc. (with SEC Registration No. CN202069462), has called on Jose Allen Aquino and Ruperto Supeña to stop using KBK in their campaign to attack MORE Power, Iloilo’s new power distributor.
“Not only are they misrepresenting our organization, they are misleading the public in telling the Manila press that their sentiment is the sentiment of the Iloilo consumers,” the official said in a statement to the media to clarify the controversy.
“They have used KBK and its identity without permission. We did not give them that mandate,” he said, adding, “For the record, these two are not in any way connected with the KBK and cannot speak on behalf of our thousands of members.”
Aquino and Supeña had conducted a virtual press conference that targeted members of the Manila media, purportedly after the “KBK” filed a complaint with the ERCto demand compensation from MORE Power for what they claimed were “systems loss charges.”
“Well, they can attack MORE Power all they want; they have the freedom to do that as consumers. But to mislead the public into thinking they are backed by the Iloilo community and the real KBK in their smear campaign against MORE is unforgivable,” Alcarde stressed.
He also bared that a “special meeting” would be held by the KBK Board of Trustees for the organization to take a “firm stand” against “bogus individuals” who have been using the KBK to their advantage.
“We will (also) initiate correspondence with the ERC to officially put on record that we have nothing to do with Aquino and Supeña’s claims.
“We will also consult with our legal counsel to discuss what particular charges we can file against this pair of PECO bootlickers to stop them from further misrepresenting not only KBK but the power consumers of Iloilo City as well.
“Our association, being the legitimate representative of the Iloilo City power consumers, cannot and will not ignore these acts of misrepresentation by Aquino and Supena; they owe us and the public an explanation and an apology,” Alcarde said.
He also noted that under MORE Power, Ilonggos have taken the “common stand” that its franchise area, previously being serviced by PECO, is “far better” today due to the “day-to-day improvements of the distribution services.”
“PECO was in service for 96 years and yet has nothing to show for it,” he remarked.
KBK is the umbrella organization that include the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative, Division Federated Parents-Teachers Association of Iloilo City, Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, the Church sector, the media, and the advocacy group, Bawal Ang Korap. (photo credit to PAPI)
