MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T
Aselco eyes P355m ‘Capex’ for 3 years Volume VI, No. 137
Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com
By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN Contributing Editor
SAN Francisco, Agusan del Sur— The local electric cooperative in the province is pushing for a P355 million three-year capital expenditure (Capex) to improve its services that will cope up with the demands of an efficient infrastructure program. The multi-million peso Capex that covers 2017up to 2019 was submitted to the Energy Regula-
tory Commission during a public hearing over the weekend at the main office of the Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (Aselco). Leah Fe Estillore, Aselco Officerin-Charge, said the Capex would only entail a 19 centavo per kilowatt hour increase to the consumers if the various projects will be fully implemented. She added consumers would actually feel a lesser 10 centavo per kilowatt hour increase due to the efficiency cost that will
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be saved from single-digit system loss. It was already seven years ago that Aselco made an increment in electricity rates r in the wake of the demand improving the facilities and infrastructure of the cooperative which already started to depreciate. ERC Commissioner Joselina Patricia Asirit, who presided the hearing, said the Capex is quite justifiable considering the necessity of Aselco to replace dilapi-
November 15, 2016
dated equipment and facilities to maintain an ideal sound financial management. “Cost-efficiency will redound to the best interest of the consumers,” Asirit said. She assured Aselco officials to fast track the approval of the Capex for them to obtain a loan from the National Electrification Administration in due time. While awaiting approval, See years, page A7
‘UNCALLED FOR’ Says Vice President Leni Robredo on suspension of writ of habeas corpus VICE President Leni Robredo sees no solid reason to impose the suspension of writ of habeas corpus, for now, saying the basis does not jive to the elements identified in the 1987 Constitution. In a chance interview, Robredo stressed that the Constitution is clear about the limits of calling for such suspension even as she stressed that doing so is uncalled for. “Yung sa Konstitusyon natin, isa naman talaga yan sa mga option, pero klaro ‘yung parameters, klaro ‘yung dahilan kung kailan pwedeng mag declare: ‘yung invasion at rebellion, when public safety requires,” she told reporters. (The parameters in calling for a See uncalled, page A7
‘JUST AN IDEA’ THE Malacanang clarified on Sunday that the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is just an idea aired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte amid his all-out war against illegal drugs. “He has not yet announced the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. It is just an idea,” Presidential Communications Operations (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan dzRB. Last Friday night, President Duterte warned that he could suspend the writ of habeas corpus “if you force my hand into it.” The President, however, clarified that it was See idea, page A7
Andanar
MEANT TO SCARE Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement on the possible suspension of the writ of habeas corpus seeks only to scare off terrorists, drug traffickers and other lawless elements in the country amid the government’s allout war on illegal drugs. The writ of habeas corpus is a legal action that gives a person the right to seek relief from unlawful or arbitrary detention. It serves as an instrument for safeguarding individual freedom See scare, page A7
Aguirre
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FYI
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for your information
Habeas corpus Habeas corpus is a recourse in law whereby a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment before a court, usually through a prison official. From Latin habeas, second person singular present subjunctive active of habere, “to have”, “to hold”; and corpus, accusative singular of corpus “body”. In reference to more than one person, habeas corpora. Literally, the phrase means “you may have the body”. The complete phrase habeas corpus ad subjiciendum means “you may have the person for the purpose of subjecting him/her to (examination)”. These are the opening words of writs in 14th century Anglo-French documents requiring a person to be brought before a court or judge, especially to determine if that person is being legally detained. The writ of habeas corpus is known as “the great and efficacious writ in all manner of illegal confinement”, being a remedy available to the meanest against the mightiest. It is a summons with the force of a court order; it is addressed to the custodian (a prison official for example) and demands that a prisoner be taken before the court, and that the custodian present proof of authority, allowing the court to determine whether the custodian has lawful authority to detain the prisoner. If the custodian is acting beyond his or her authority, then the prisoner must be released. Any prisoner, or another person acting on his or her behalf, may petition the court, or a judge, for a writ of habeas corpus. One reason for the writ to be sought by a person other than the prisoner is that the detainee might See corpus, page A7
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