Zambales execs take over electric co-op

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales – An electric cooperative that operates in seven municipalities in Zambales was taken over yesterday by new officials who assumed their posts through “people power” or by extra-constitutional means.

The takeover of Zambales Electric Cooperative II was made yesterday when an interim board was sworn into office by Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso, following one week of protests from residents and cooperative members who sought the ouster of the incumbent officials.

Zameco II general manager Fidel Corea, however, said the takeover was illegal.

“The group (who took over) did not observe the rule of law,” Corea told The STAR in an interview.

“There is a case pending in the Supreme Court, so I asked them to await the decision, but they forcibly took over,” he said.

The interim board that Deloso swore into office was composed of one representative each from the seven municipalities where the cooperative operates.

They are: Ryan Gonzales, who represents Subic town; Engr. Dominador Gallardo, Castillejos; Engr. Antonio Escoba, San Marcelino; Delfin Francia Jr., San Felipe; Dr. Leo Lonzanida, San Antonio; Jomori Jamili, Cabangan; and Armando Alcorez, San Narciso.

Gallardo, who is president of the Castillejos Consumers Association that first exposed alleged irregularities in Zameco II, was appointed as interim president.

Gallardo said after the oath-taking that he will focus on the financial aspects of Zameco II operations, pointing out that three audit reports from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) had showed unauthorized expenditures made by cooperative officials.

Gallardo added that the interim board would also assess the qualifications of present employees of the Cooperative, and to conduct an inventory of the cooperative’s physical assets.

Despite the use of extra-constitutional means, Deloso praised the takeover as an expression of the people’s will.

“This is proof that an advocacy of truth by one person could become a movement by the majority,” Deloso said after the oath-taking ceremony.

According to Joseph Khonghun, a member of the NEA board of directors, the NEA gave 100 days for the cooperative to hold a general election to choose the members of the board for Zameco II.

Khonghun also showed a letter from NEA administrator Edita Bueno, who confirmed the designation of Engr. Alvin Farrales as general manager-officer in charge of Zameco II “to manage its day to day operations.”

The designation of Farrales as replacement of Corea, the NEA letter showed, was contained in Zameco II General Assembly Resolution No. 04, series of 2008.