Man fined for power pilferage

MANILA, Philippines - A Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) judge ordered yesterday a man to pay a fine of P10,000 for illegally tapping electricity from the post of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) five years ago.

In her three-page decision, Judge Amorfina Cerrado-Cesar of the RTC Branch 67 found Abundio Agravante guilty of violating Republic Act 7832, the anti-electricity pilferage law.

Records show that Meralco personnel found illegal electricity connections at Agravante’s house during an inspection on Feb. 5, 2009. During the trial, Agravante jumped bail. – Non Alquitran