Meralco warns scrapping system loss charges may not cut bills; Tulfo pushes back
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) warned that removing system loss charges from monthly bills may not ultimately result in lower electricity bills, saying distribution utilities could incur more costs in eliminating pilferage that may later be recovered through other regulated charges. “Kasi po, hindi naman papayagan ng any distribution utility na malugi sila dahil sa mga nagnanakaw ng kuryente. So gagawa sila ng paraan,” Jose Ronald Valles, Meralco senior vice president and head of regulatory management, told the Senate energy committee on Thursday, July 30. [Translation: No distribution utility would allow itself to incur losses because of electricity theft. They will find a way to address it.] “So, kung gagastos po sila nang mas malaki kaysa sa magiging pakinabang ng customers dito sa system loss na tanggalin natin or gawin natin zero, yung non-technical losses, eh, hindi po magiging fair sa consumers yun kasi ‘yung net…
‘I can hire a gunman for ₱5,000’: Sara Duterte blames gun violence for drug war deaths
Metro Manila, Philippines – For Vice President Sara Duterte, the extrajudicial killings (EJK) during the administration of her father, Rodrigo Duterte, could be attributed to high incidents of gun violence. Duterte told this to her supporters at a rally outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) premises in The Hague, Netherlands on Wednesday, July 29. Political blogger and Office of the Vice President partner Paulo Lino Canillo Te livestreamed the speech on Facebook. To stress her point, Duterte posed a hypothetical scenario involving her husband, Mans Carpio, and supposed mistress. “I have a husband, my husband has a mistress, I can hire a gunman for ₱5,000 to kill the mistress, for ₱5,000. That is how bad gun violence in the Philippines is, if that is again, yes EJK,” the vice president told her supporters. Duterte – who has been impeached for grave threats for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill the…
Castro praises Robredo, criticizes Duterte’s vice presidency
Metro Manila, Philippines – Palace press officer Claire Castro praised former Vice President and Naga Mayor Leni Robredo’s record in office while criticizing Vice President Sara Duterte’s performance, saying the two differed in work ethic and awareness of national issues. Speaking on The Newsmaker, Castro said Robredo demonstrated that she could deliver public service even with limited resources during her term. “Nakita ng taong bayan kung paano siyang tumulong, paano siyang nakakuha ng ibang pondo through her efforts sa Angat Buhay. Nakita natin kung paano niya napagaan din ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin. Kahit ang liit ng pondo niya noon, ‘di siya nagrereklamo. Wala pa siyang confidential funds. At hindi po siya nagbabakasyon. Alam ko, nagtatrabaho siya noon,” she said. [Translation: The public saw how she helped people and secured additional resources through Angat Buhay. We saw how she improved the lives of Filipinos. Even though she had a…
No special treatment for Romualdez – Palace
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said presidential cousin and former Speaker Martin Romualdez will not receive special treatment as the investigation on his alleged links to the flood control anomaly is now with the Office of the Ombudsman. Palace press officer Claire Castro made the statement on Thursday, July 30, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced in #SONA2026 that Romualdez would face charges in connection with the multi-billion peso controversy. “Sabi nga natin kung gusto niya magbigay na anumang special treatment, dapat sinimulan niya na noon. Pero hindi eh,” Castro said. [Translation: As we’ve said, if he wanted to give any special treatment, he should have done so earlier. But he didn’t.] Castro said she is unaware of any conversation between Marcos and Romualdez after the president’s announcement, “Tingin ko kung ganito naman yung isyu sa kanila, hindi rin man lalapit si former Speaker kay Pangulo Marcos Jr.” [Translation: I…
Castro on Duterte Pax Silica remarks: ‘Hindi pwedeng wala kang alam’
Metro Manila, Philippines – Palace press officer Claire Castro praised former Vice President and Naga Mayor Leni Robredo’s record in office while criticizing Vice President Sara Duterte’s performance, saying the two differed in work ethic and awareness of national issues. Speaking on The Newsmaker, Castro said Robredo demonstrated that she could deliver public service even with limited resources during her term. “Nakita ng taong bayan kung paano siyang tumulong, paano siyang nakakuha ng ibang pondo through her efforts sa Angat Buhay. Nakita natin kung paano niya napagaan din ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin. Kahit ang liit ng pondo niya noon, ‘di siya nagrereklamo. Wala pa siyang confidential funds. At hindi po siya nagbabakasyon. Alam ko, nagtatrabaho siya noon,” she said. [Translation: The public saw how she helped people and secured additional resources through Angat Buhay. We saw how she improved the lives of Filipinos. Even though she had a…
