Energy chief Lotilla sued over alleged violation of coal moratorium

Cause-oriented groups on Thursday filed graft, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service complaint against Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla over alleged violation of a coal moratorium policy which took effect during the Duterte administration.

In their complaint, the groups alleged that Lotilla violated the coal moratorium policy by approving the Aboitiz-owned Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) Unit 3 expansion power plant in Toledo City, Cebu. 

“TVI should have been disqualified due to the coal moratorium. We view his action as a violation of the moratorium and a violation of his mandate to ensure that he is not partial to any corporation. Siya mismo kasi ay dating nasa Aboitiz (He used to be with the Aboitiz.),” Sanlakas secretary general Aaron Pedrosa, one of the complainants, said.

"By approving the expansion of TVI, Secretary Lotilla not only increased the cost of electricity for the people of Cebu and contributed to more pollution in the Central Visayas, but also favored his old company, AboitizPower. AboitizPower was effectively exempted from following the provisions of the coal moratorium, a privilege not given to any other company," P4P convenor Gerry Arances said. 

The complainants alleged that the Energy chief approved the expansion of TVI in 2023, or well after the 2020 effectivity date of the coal moratorium.

“TVI does not fall under the exemptions [on coal moratorium]. You are covered with exemptions if you have a financial flow, secured prior permits from the DENR (Department of Natural and Environmental Resources) such as the Environment Compliance Certificate and power supply agreement. TVI does not have any of these,” Pedrosa said.

“Bakit ito pinalusot (Why did he let it get away)? There is clear indication of graft, and this must be stopped,” he added.

Arances also said that Aboitiz Power, as late as 2023, could not even decide if the plant will be fueled by coal or gas and later decided to use coal despite the moratorium.

“The Department of Energy approved their request and claimed the project is exempted despite the project not obviously in the coal pipeline when the moratorium was issued," he added.

"Walang lugar ang interes ng malalaking negosyo sa kuryente, konsyumer dapat ang bigyan ng prayoridad. Oras na para sagutin ni Lotilla ang mga alegasyon na binabato laban sa kanya," added Ka Leody de Guzman, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) chairman emeritus and Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) president.

(The interest of the big electric companies have no place here, it is that consumers who should be prioritized. Now is the time for Lotilla to answer the allegations hurled against him.)

GMA News Online sought Lotilla for comment and will publish it as soon as it becomes available.—AOL, GMA Integrated News