The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has conducted 2
hearings on the bribed-tainted Artech contract. On the other hand, the
National Electrification Administration created a Fact Finding Team,
which rendered a report on June 5, 2009.
Based thereon, NEA has formed an Administrative Committee, which has
held its hearings at the ILECO 1 offices in Tigbauan. I attended a NEA
hearing on Nov. 6, where Presidential Assistant Raul Banias and Atty.
Omar M. Mayo, head of the NEA Fact Finding Team, testified. On a
separate date, Judge Baldoza also testified.
The Artech contract, if implemented, will more than double the
Generation Charge paid for by ILECO 3 consumers – from the average
P3.73/kwh to P8.56/kwh, or an increase of 4.83/kwh, or 229.5%. It will
also result in an excess of unused electricity, which ILECO 3 will have
to pay, by passing this on to its consumers. In 2011, the excess power
will hit P55.66M. In 2012, it will be at P30.5M. In 2013, it will be
at P4.8M. In 2014, when the proposed bio-mass plant will operate, it
will rise to Pl60M. By 2015, it will hit P184M. This means that for
every P50M, the consumers’ monthly bill will increase roughly by
P1.00/kwh. Thus, if the Artech contract takes effect, the basic cost of
1 kwh will jump from P3.73 to P8.56. In 2011, it will hit P9.56. In
2015, it will be P11.56.
While I find this disgusting and repugnant, there is more to worry about.
I was informed by reliable sources in the NEA that Cong. Niel “Junjun”
Tupas is busy pressuring NEA to stop its hearings and drop the bribery
charges. Now, the case has been submitted for resolution.
I also learned that days before the approval of the Artech contract,
Gov. Tupas called up Judge Baldoza, telling him that Nielette “Tweety”
Tupas-Balleza will visit him. She eventually visited Judge Baldoza
several times in his residence in San Dionisio, Iloilo. My source told
me that she asked Judge Baldoza’s help in the approval of the Artech
contract. This sordid affair has become a Tupas family affair at the
expense of the people living in the ILECO 3 franchise areas. These are
the towns of Carles, Balasan, Estancia, Batad, San Dionisio,
Concepcion, Sara, Lemery, Ajuy, San Rafael, Barotac Viejo,Banate and
Anilao.
Please consider these facts once again:
1. In the Tupas mansion on April 17, 2009, Gov. Niel Tupas, Sr., met
with ILECO 3 directors. Judge Baldoza admitted receiving P75,000 from
Gov. Tupas in exchange for the approval of the Artech contract.
2. Gov. Tupas called up Judge Baldoza, telling him to expect Tweety
Tupas-Balleza in his house. She visited Judge Baldoza several times in
the latter’s residence in San Dionisio, Iloilo before April 21, 2009,
She asked his help in the approval of the Artech contract.
3. Cong. Niel Tupas, Jr., pressured NEA to stop its investigation and drop the charges.
There is a serious danger that the Artech contract will be implemented.
The powerful Tupas family is doing everything it can. They have even
caused the filing of a case to disqualify Atty. James Balsomo as
Lemery-Sara ILECO 3 director. There are 7 Tupas family members running
in the general elections in May 10, 2010, namely:
1. Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr., is running for Congressman in the 4th District;
2. Cong. Niel “Junjun” Tupas, Jr., is up for re-election as Congressman of the 5th District;
3. Mayor Raul “Boboy” Tupas, is running for Governor;
4. Engr. Niel “The Third” Tupas III, is running for Barotac Viejo Mayor;
5. Nielo “Bongbong” Tupas is running for 5th District Board Member;
6. Iloilo City Councilor Nielex “Lex” Tupas, is running for re-election; and
7. Parley Balleza, Niellette Tupas-Balleza’s husband, is running for Barotac Viejo Councilor.
I am certain that the Tupas family will certainly do everything to
railroad the Artech contract, and force-feed its obnoxious provisions
into the throats of our people.
I call upon this Sangguniang Panlalawigan to rally behind the people, and protect its interest.
Thank you and may God save us from the Artech contract.
