Quirino execs to sue electric co-op for power cutoff to capitol

CABARROGUIS, Quirino – Provincial officials are readying a lawsuit against the Quirino Electric Cooperative (Quirelco) for cutting off power to the provincial capitol for five days although negotiations were ongoing on the supposed unpaid electric bills of the provincial government.

Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua said they are readying court action against Quirelco officials, led by general manager Nelson Macato, for allegedly ignoring their request not to cut off power amid the talks.

Besides the provincial capitol which houses the executive department and other provincial offices, the power supply of two other government buildings was also disconnected, practically paralyzing their operations.  

Cua was particularly enraged as Quirelco went ahead with the power cutoff just before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Moises Pardo here could issue a temporary restraining order against the disconnection.

“It seems that the electric cooperative wants to embarrass the provincial government led by Gov. Cua,” lawyer Tecson John Lim, the provincial administrator, said.

Speculations are rife that the disconnection was politically motivated as one of the legal advisers of Quirelco, lawyer Eliezer Balderas, was Cua’s bitter rival in the gubernatorial race last May.

The provincial government reportedly owes Quirelco P8.031 million in electric bills. The arrears date back to 2006 during the administration of Cua’s predecessor, Pedro Bacani.

Meanwhile, Cua, son of Rep. Junie Cua of this province’s lone congressional district, countered that Quirelco owed the provincial government P13 million in real property taxes.

Sought for comment, Bacani said, “How can there be a settlement when Macato and Quirelco refused to sit down and talk with us for a possible peaceful write-off of the real property tax long before this controversial issue erupted?”

Cua said he is willing to settle the unpaid electric bills, adding though that he would collect the real property taxes due from Quirelco at any cost.

Acting on Cua’s appeal so as not to disrupt the day-to-day operations of the provincial government, the provincial sheriff carried out the re-connection of power supply three days ago.  – Charlie Lagasca