House awaits Palace decision on special powers

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Thursday said the House of Representatives is waiting for Malacanang's decision on granting special powers to President Benigno Aquino III to address the power shortage in Mindanao.

In a radio interview, Belmonte, however, dismissed reports about his supposed marching orders to members of the House of Representatives to grant emergency emergency powers to the President.

"Naghahantay lang ako ng marching order mula sa Malakanyang...Ang Kamara at Senado ay nakarecess for the Lenten break, as a Speaker wala akong power na gumawa nun...wala akong power na pabalikin ang Kongreso," Belmonte said.

Belmonte said congressmen are more than willing to help the Aquino administration to find a solution and address the current power crisis in Southern Philippines.

"We are ready to help but we have no marching orders kung ano ang gagawin," Belmonte said.

He said members of the House of Representatives had many questions about energy and power during the budget hearing late last year.

"Maraming question tungkol sa power, mostly members who represent power cooperatives. They were asking a lot of questions there...pero handa kaming tumulong..." Belmonte said.

Neither Palace officials nor the President has requested any emergency powers from Congress, he said.

"Siya (President Aquino) mismo walang sinasabi tungkol sa emergency powers. I am for giving him the power but the power should be limited to the problem to the problem power shortage in Mindanao," Belmonte said.

Several areas in Mindanao are reportedly experiencing three to eight hours of power interruptions daily. The situation has disrupted operations of businesses and even airports.