Catholic bishops have joined mounting opposition to the proposed joint venture between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) and Ignite Power and Energy Holdings, urging the Ombudsman to suspend cooperative board members facing complaints over the controversial deal.
In a Sept. 1 letter to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Diocese of Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas and Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, who also heads Caritas Philippines, called for the preventive suspension of SOCOTECO II directors implicated in pending complaints concerning the proposed joint venture agreement (JVA).
The bishops described the situation as a “profound governance crisis” and raised concerns over alleged procedural irregularities and potential compromises to the integrity of the process ahead of a planned plebiscite on the JVA this month.
“Allowing them to remain in office while investigations proceed poses a continuous threat to cooperative assets, institutional records, and the free expression of consumer will in the presently ongoing illegitimate plebiscite,” the bishops said in the letter.
They also asked to meet with Remulla to discuss concerns affecting their communities, particularly the cost and reliability of electricity in areas served by SOCOTECO II.
“As a shepherd of the faithful who will bear the impacts of high electricity prices and unreliable service if this JVA proposal from Ignite Power gets approved, we stand with our communities in upholding transparency, integrity, and the rule of law,” they said.
The bishops’ intervention adds to opposition to the proposed partnership with Ignite, which is backed by businessman Enrique Razon and boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao.
The Diocese of Marbel had earlier organized a peaceful protest in late August against the conduct and scheduling of the SOCOTECO II plebiscite.
The Ombudsman received the bishops’ letter on Sept. 8. As of Monday, however, the office had yet to act on their requests.
The proposed JVA has drawn scrutiny because of its potential implications for the electric cooperative’s assets, governance and electricity rates, making the upcoming plebiscite a key test of consumer support for the deal.
