I attended the media briefing at the Kagayanon Restaurant sponsored by the Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI), one of the Aboitiz’ group of companies, not to ask questions but hoped to find answers to the many questions being asked by the consumers and echoed in different media outlets.


It was a well attended briefing, with around 30 media representatives and four from the sponsor; namely Bashi Lacson, First VP, Aboitiz Power, Joey Batiquin, Chief Operating Officer of Therma Marine, Inc., Joshua Paraiso, Legal Advisor and Winnie Pangilingan, Resource Person. And of course the president of the PR firm, Chris Cahilig.


It was a well prepared illustration of facts and figures that would probably explain why we are paying more for our electric bill. Still, some find it unconvincing. There were matters that cannot be tackled, they being subjudice in nature.


Much as we would like to understand what we were seeing, at the end of the day, we could only grasp so little. The illustration was highly technical and scientific for laymen to understand.


But we appreciate the effort of the firm to erase the wrong impressions and the misconceptions against their company.


Whether there were misconceptions or not, one thing is certain, from a low 4.00 peso plus per kilowatt, we are now paying at 10.00 peso plus per kilowatt. Aray!!!

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Before the media briefing, an animated discussion among colleagues touched on the intention of Dongkoy to pursue his dream of transferring the city Hall to the “basurahan” area (sounds like a favorite place for him).

What about the new building being constructed at the back of the old City Hall? Is it not supposed to be the administrative building? Is Dongkoy really selling the old City Hall and the new administrative building or are they going to be converted into a city college school?

Why at the “basurahan”? It is said that it would take 50 years for the base soil to settle down to become worthy for construction. Why pursue it? Is it for payback purposes and again, for his favorite contractor?

Wow, they never had it so good and now they want more.

I challenge the Plazans to act on this issue.