Lawyer hoping for early solution of raps vs Agusan power firm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – A lawyer in the contempt charges filed against the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) yesterday expressed hope that the court would resolve the case early.

Lawyer Froilan Montero, counsel for city Councilor Serge Pascual, one of the petitioners in the case, said he is hoping the court will resolve the charges against ANECO officials before Nov. 12.

Montero said the court was set to hear on that day another petition for mandamus filed against the ANECO officials.

He said he accepted the cases pro bono or without fee for the sake of the nearly 450,000 power consumers and residents of Butuan City and Agusan del Norte.

It can be recalled that Montero sought for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the ANECO on Aug. 20

In Oct. 24, Judge Francisco Maclang granted a 20-day stopping ANECO from collecting taxes from the consumers. The TRO is valid until Nov. 13.

On Nov. 12, Maclang would hear arguments from both sides, which would determine whether the TRO would be lifted or not.