Court stops “questioned” February assembly by strife-torn Benguet power cooperative

BAGUIO CITY (February 12, 2022)—- Baguio City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Maria Ligaya

Itliong-Rivera halted the holding of a general assembly of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) scheduled today Saturday (February 12, 2022).

Ruling over a petition for a temporary restraining order by four of the 10 Board of Directors of the power distribution utility, currently distraught by an internal power struggle led by National Electrification Administration (NEA)-suspended Board of Directors and some officials, Executive Judge Itliong-Rivera issued a 72-hour TRO against the holding of the questioned general assembly favoring the petitioners “fear of grave and irreparable injury” (to the greater majority of the Beneco member-consumers) the moment it is pursued.

Beneco board of directors Luke Gomeyac, Rocky Aliping, Enrique Moresto, and James Aclopen earlier questioned before the Court the holding of a general assembly by 6 of the NEA-suspended BODs and NEA-unheeding officer-in-charge Engr. Melchor Licoben, bantering on what grounds would these personalities call for such an assembly while they are suspended for 90 days beginning December 2021.

NEA in August last year installed a new general manager — lawyer Marie Banaag-Rafael— but Engr. Licoben and 6 BODs including Board Chairman lawyer Esteban Somngi refused to recognize NEA’s authority.

In October last year, Licoben, Somngi, and their group also held a general assembly sans even the Cooperative Development Authority’s (CDA) legal sanction.  After Licoben, Somngi and his group’s severance from NEA’s authority, have sought refuge in the CDA though Beneco hasn’t been fully converted into a CDA-accredited cooperative.

The February 12 assembly, however, ruled Ex. Judge Itliong-Rivera, is halted and Licoben, Somngi, and his group were “ordered to cease from holding the general assembly 72-hours” starting Friday (February 11, 2022).
Artemio A. Dumlao

Amianan Balita Ngayon