OSG studying all factual, legal issues in SPPC-Meralco deal

The Office of the Solicitor General is studying all factual and legal issues involved in the deal between the South Premier Power Corporation (SPPC) and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.

Guevarra issued the remark when asked if the OSG will intervene in the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) suspending the power supply agreement of the two entities.

“The OSG is the counsel of the state in all litigations concerning the government. It is presently studying the factual and legal issues involved in this case,” Guevarra told GMA News Online when asked if the OSG will intervene.

The TRO was issued by the CA 14th Division on November 24, following a petition filed by San Miguel Corp. subsidiary SPPC.

The petition stemmed from the Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to reject the joint motions of the SPPC, the San Miguel Energy Corporation, and Meralco to hike the generation charge.

For his part, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had expressed hope that the Appellate Court will reconsider its move to suspend the agreement.

Marcos said the TRO will have an “extremely deleterious effect” on power rates. —KG, GMA Integrated News