POSSIBLY looking into the plight of consumers who would have to bear the brunt of having to pay for higher electricity in the midst of increasing prices of basic commodities and services, the Court of Appeals has yet to act on a petition for prohibition filed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) against the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

In a recent interview, Lasse Holopainen, president of PEMC, operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), said the petition of PSALM was prompted by findings of the Market Surveillance Committee during the third and fourth month of operations of WESM in September and October 2006.

“I haven’t seen the application for temporary restraining order itself, but I understand there is one,” admitted Holopainen.

The PEMC official said PSALM filed a petition for prohibition restraining PEMC and ERC from further conducting investigations into an alleged price manipulation case against PSALM in September and October 2006.

Holopainen said the appelate court has yet to act on it and their petition is still pending.

“There’s a certain irony about trying to collect P9 billion of consumer money from 2006, when there’s been so much discussion and effort from the government from trying to get those prices down,” said Holopainen.

Asian Spirit flying amid insurance questions

Asian Spirit, the carrier of businessman/banker Alfredo Yao, is flying amid questions about its insurance cover.

A source at Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc. confirmed that it is no longer the airline’s insurer as of June 18.

Comelec to probe early campaigning

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to discuss on Wednesday a complaint filed by Sen. Miriam Santiago against the alleged premature campaigning of some politicians ahead of the 2010 polls.

LAWYER Ernesto Francisco backed out on Monday as counsel of Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, who are facing charges of four counts of kidnapping in connection with the abduction of a television news team and a peace advocate.

Palace not women-friendly–COA

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has bewailed the failure of the Office of the President and a number of government agencies to implement programs aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women despite being given the mandate to spend portion of their funds for the purpose.

PEMC still awaiting court action on PSALM petition

POSSIBLY looking into the plight of consumers who would have to bear the brunt of having to pay for higher electricity in the midst of increasing prices of basic commodities and services, the Court of Appeals has yet to act on a petition for prohibition filed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) against the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Foreign observers welcome in ARMM elections–Melo

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is willing to allow foreign observers to monitor the August 11 polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but their presence in the Southern Philippines may also need the approval of the Armed Forces, especially in Sulu.

Human-trafficking syndicate uses Clark as exit point–center

THE Blas F. Ople Policy Center, a nongovernment organization concerned with migrant workers’ rights and welfare, warned the public on Monday against the continued trafficking of women workers to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Dmia) in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Makati launches ‘Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay’

THE city government of Makati, through its Department of Environmental Services (DES), on Monday launched the “Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay (BBB)” at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle.