Political Front

Villar Vows Reforms VS Power Crisis

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar vowed to work for the full and immediate privatization of all National Power Corp. (Napocor) power plants and power purchase agreements as a major step to solve the country’s energy problems particularly in Mindanao.

"Fully implement the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) law which provides for the full privatization of Napocor’s power plants, as well as all PPAs. This is priority A-1 under my presidency," Villar said.

He explained that the power situation in Mindanao continues to worsen because the government has been unable to institute measures to bring in investments in the power sector.

The last power plant that was opened in Mindanao was in 2007 when a coal-fired plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental was inaugurated.

Other proposed power plants like the 42.5-megawatt (MW) hydropower plant in Sibulan, Davao del Sur and the 27-MW Tamugan hydropower plant in Davao City will still take years before coming on-stream, while a 200-MW coal-fired plant in Maasim, Sarangani is expected to start operations by 2012.

"Mindanao continues to labor under a lack of investments in its power sector. This has discouraged many investors from setting up factories and economic zones in the region. I intend to pave the way for these investors to come in and generate economic activity and jobs in the region," Villar said.

At the same time, the NP presidential candidate pledged to prioritize the development of alternative energy in the country by creating pilot sites in Mindanao.

"I will task agencies like the Departments of Energy, Agriculture and Science and Technology to draw up an alternative energy master plan and develop pilot projects in Mindanao," Villar said.

"We have to create a framework for our future energy supply for sustainable economic growth. We will assure a stable and affordable supply of power that can transform Mindanao into a truly viable investment center in Southeast Asia," he added.

At the same time, Villar said the development of alternative energy will lessen the country’s dependence on imported oil.

In 2007, oil accounted for 55.9 percent of the country’s energy demand followed by coal at 23.9 percent), gas (12.4 percent) and hydro electric energy (7.8 percent).

The power supply in Mindanao continues to worsen as the shortage has now hit 358 MW, according to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Save for Davao City, which still has adequate power supply, most provinces in Mindanao are now experiencing rotating brownouts of between four to eight hours.
　

NGCP data showed that the available capacity on the island was now only 842 MW as against peak demand of 1,200 MW.

AFTER ADS AND RIBBONS,
WILL YOU IMITATE MY HAIRSTYLE NEXT?

Copycat Moves Flatter Aquino

After seeing his ads and campaign materials imitated by the rival camp, Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino predicts Sen. Manny Villar may soon imitate even his hairstyle.

Aquino noted in Cebu City that orange ribbons similar to his yellow ribbons had been tied to posts along some roads there. Orange is Villar’s campaign color.

Aquino said this was aside from new ads of Villar imitating Aquino’s vow.

Aquino has, on occasion, poked fun at himself over his hairstyle, once likening it to the country’s vanishing forest cover during a presidential forum in Makati City.

He made light of the situation, however, calling the copycat moves "the sincerest form of flattery."

Still, he added he will not be surprised if Villar comes out with a song similar to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon."

On the other hand, Aquino also hurled similar "copycat" accusations against President Arroyo, this time for imitating the late strong man Ferdinand Marcos.

RIGHT OF AQUINO SISTERS
REMULLA’S TIRADE BETRAYS SEXIST MINDSET

As a reaction, Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, a senatorial candidate said that the Aquino sisters have every right to speak on the Hacienda Luisita issue because the family has been dragged into it by rivals of LP standard bearer Noynoy Aquino.

"To say therefore that Sen. Noynoy is hiding behind the skirts of his sisters is scurrilous and betrays a sexist mindset," the Akbayan partylist representative, Hontiveros said.

"Not that they need defending, but the Aquino sisters are parties in interest, however small their shares are, in the Hacienda. Like the other shareholders, these women too have a voice in whatever plans are being presented on the table," Hontiveros pointed out.

Hontiveros said that Cavite Rep. Boying Remulla has been consistently attacking the Aquino family, and has not spared even former President Aquino from
his baseless tirades.

If Remulla claims to have the evidence against Sen. Aquino and his family, then the right thing to do is to file the complaint in the proper forum, she said.

"Unlike his principal, I am sure that Sen. Noynoy and his sisters are ready to face any complaint of unethical conduct or betrayal of the public trust," Hontiveros added. /MP