Villar calls for vigilance on simultaneous brownouts

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley - Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar on Thursday said the government will have to pacify a jittery nation that the worsening power crisis in Mindanao has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections.

Villar also called on the citizenry to be more vigilant as the May elections draw nearer and the political campaigning heats up.

"I am just wondering why it seems the power plants' breakdown happened almost at the same time. Is this just a coincidence?" Villar asked.

He called on the government to adequately explain to the public the situation, as well as the scenarios, to quell growing skepticism over the conduct of the May polls.

"When I read the reports, (I see that) the breakdowns happen at the same time. We should look at this thoroughly (and find out) why they happen simultaneously," he said.

"Let us look at the causes, let us find out why we have this problem and if this is serious," he added.

The NP presidential bet arrived here behind schedule due to pressing matters in Manila that included a nationwide radio interview with GMA-dzBB commentator Mike Enriquez.

He arrived to a rousing welcome by cheering supporters at the capitol grounds, who waited under sweltering heat. He also attended the celebration of the "Bulawan" or Gold Festival that coincided with the observance of the 12th founding anniversary of the founding of Compostela Valley as a province.

The NP team composed of vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda and members of the senatorial slate Bongbong Marcos, Liza Maza, Ramon Mitra, Satur Ocampo, Susan Ople, Gwen Pimentel, Martin Querubin who represented his father detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, Gilbert Remulla and Adel Tamano arrived later.

Villar said he is very much concerned with the complaints on the power outages, sometimes lasting 10 to 12 hours, from Mindanao residents and said he saw no reason now to oppose the use of power barges to solve the power crisis on the island.

"Power barges may be expensive but we have no choice, and it should be done," he said.

But the NP presidential candidate said that while he backs the declaration of a power crisis in Mindanao, he is strongly opposed to giving President Gloria Arroyo emergency powers as she has enough powers under the EPIRA law to meet the crisis head-on.