SC to Meralco: Keep light on

By Rey E. Requejo and Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Supreme Court has declared that the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) cannot disconnect a consumer’s electric service without a 48-hour notice.

In a decision made available Friday, the SC ruled as violative of due process requirements if Meralco disconnects the consumer’s electric service on the day the notice of disconnection is issued.

The high court said should the power retailer disconnect an electric service on the day the notice of disconnection is issued, “Meralco is presumed to be in bad faith for its failure to follow the due notice requirement under Republic Act No. 7832.”

RA 7832 is the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.

In a statement, the SC’s Public Information Office said the high tribunal “denied the petition of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) assailing a Court of Appeals (CA) decision which affirmed that the electric firm violated RA 7832 … for cutting off the electricity supply of a consumer without prior notice.” note that

In reply, Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said: "We have not officially received a copy of the SC decision. In any case, we will respect and abide by the said deci sion."

NORTHERN PRIDE. Top military officers led by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino (in gray) stand underneath the flag at the Fishermen's Shelter in Mavulis Island, the country's northernmost island in Batanes province where a naval detachment is also located. They also a visited the naval detachment in Itbayat town and the headquarters of the 10th Marine Company in Basco, the provincial capital. The Chief of Staff and senior officers of the General Headquarters and the Northern Luzon Command later spent the night aboard BRP Tarlac (LD601). AFP Photo

AFP: Centino visits Batanes, vows support for north troop

By Vince Lopez and Rey E. Requejo

ARMED Forces of the Philippines Chief General Andres Centino has vowed to provide all possible support to troops manning and protecting the country's northernmost frontier during his visit to Batanes this week.

Meeting with military personnel at the country's northernmost province on Thursday, Centino appreciated the efforts of personnel stationed in the remote detachments and

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By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Imee Marcos wants the Senate to investigate the mysterious activity of a US Air Force Boeing C-17 in Philippine territory and airspace, stressing it raises questions of sovereignty and air travel safety.

Marcos said the Senate hearing in-