House ethics complaint foisted vs Philreca partylist lawmaker

July 11, 2022 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (July 11, 2022) — Member consumers of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) is foisting an ethics complaint against Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association (Philreca) party-list representative, Presley De Jesus, before the Ethics Committee of the House of Representatives for using the cooperatives’ resources, equipment and facilities during the 2022 elections.
In August 2021, the Office of the President dismissed former NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong when he “acted in flagrant disregard of rules” after repeatedly failing to object to electric cooperatives’ continuing financial support for the political activities of Philreca as a candidate in the 2019 party-list race.  This accordingly was a violation of Section 95 (b) and (d) of Batas Pambansa 881, the Omnibus Election Code.
Though Masongsong who sought reconsideration of the Office of the President’s ruling on his dismissal upon recommendation of the Presidential Anti Corruption Commission (PACC), asserted that NEA only has supervisory powers over electric cooperatives, “there is nothing in Republic Act 10531 which repealed Section 10 of PD 269 where NEA exercises supervision and control over electric cooperatives,” insisted Beneco general manager Ana Marie Paz Rafael, a lawyer, and former assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Hence, electric cooperatives as public utilities imbued with public interest remain under the control of NEA, she said.  “This is a welcome legal principle advocated against the illegitimate occupying Beneco South Drive.  They remain defiant against NEA authorities, defying or ignoring its orders and resolutions.”
The Office of the President then denied Masongsong’s plea and upheld his dismissal from public service for gross misconduct, forfeiting his retirement benefits as well as perpetually disqualifying him from public service.
“Repeat violation”
To do a repeat,  said Atty. Rafael, “this issue of the usage of Beneco equipment and facilities for partisan political activities again becomes relevant as during the 2022 elections, where Philreca again sought out the use of Beneco equipment and facilities, and possibly its funds, to further its political campaign.”
Atty. Rafael claimed Beneco’s Southdrive offices which are occupied by Engr. Melchor Licoben and Atty.
Esteban Somngi and 6 other Beneco Board Members, who was earlier suspended by NEA for disregarding the latter’s appointment of Atty. Rafael as the cooperative’s general manager, “served as Philreca’s base of operations for its campaign sorties in the May 2022 polls and it also utilized Beneco vehicles carrying Philreca campaign tarpaulins and materials.”
With pro-electric cooperative groups joining the advocacy against the illegal use of electric cooperative funds for political activities, lawyer Rafael vowed, will not be countenanced.  “Funds of electric cooperatives should not be used for any partisan political activities and campaigns,” she stressed.
Philreca got a single seat in the May 9, 2022 elections.
Artemio A. Dumlao