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August 8, 2022

Will the Senate be fair to electric cooperatives?: Sen. Risa Hontiveros raises this question as she interpellates Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri on his privilege speech during Monday's plenary session, August 8, 2022. Hontiveros expressed relief that the Senate President recognized the role of electric cooperatives under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). Amid the possibility of reviewing the EPIRA to lower the power rate in the country, Hontiveros appealed to Zubiri to accord fair treatment to electric cooperatives. “At any point during the discussions on the review of EPIRA, my fear is that electric cooperatives will be placed in the hot seat. Will the Senate be fair to electric cooperatives?” Hontiveros asked. In response, Zubiri assured Hontiveros that the possible review of EPIRA would not mean privatizing the distribution utilities. “I totally agree with the position of the good lady senator. We are not here to dissolve electric cooperatives. What we actually want is to help them,” the Senate President said. (Joseph Vidal, Bibo Nueva España /Senate PRIB)

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