Reklamo sa Meralco: Case Worsens

Series of Events:
October 9, 2008

• A Meralco Inspection team, headed by VICTOR ACOT, performed a surprised inspection in our area. Mr. Acot claimed to have seen two line jumpers tapped illegally at a service connection. He then traced the jumpers and found them in the house being owned & occupied by Juanito Eusebio. However, in his report, he included us as one of those guilty of the illegal wire-tapping violations. We readily opposed this finding and seek clarifications on his conclusion. The arguments reached the office of our barangay, where both parties were given the chance to air their sides. Unsatisfied with the ‘hearsay’ basis of Mr. Acot, we requested that he ask any of his senior officials to come and check his ‘findings’.

• Two gentlemen from the Para-Legal Department of Meralco Head office, one of whom was Mr. Gerald San Pedro, later came to check what happened. Together with these two gentlemen, Mr. Acot, the Baranggay Captain and me, made an ocular inspection of the area where Mr. Acot claimed to have seen the illegal jumpers. Ironically, all his findings pointed to the house owned & occupied by Juanito Eusebio and his family only. By his own admission, in front of every one there, the only reason why he concluded that we were likewise benefitting from that illegal connection was when he asked one of the tenants in that house if where those wires were heading. The boy, who turned out to be one of the sons of Juanito Eusebio, apparently replied to him, ‘sa kabila po, tara samahan ko kayo’, then they left. That was when Mr. Acot barged in to our house to the surprised of my 63yr old mother who was then all alone with my 7yr old niece. Unfortunately for Mr. Acot, he found nothing inside our house to incriminate us.

• We even offered to bring down the wall of the house where Mr. Acot claimed to have seen the wires to let him see if there is a hole or any way possible for those wires to reach our home. But Mr. San Pedro said there was no need for that. They then left and even apologized for the troubles it caused us.

December 23, 2008

• We received a DEMAND LETTER dated December 17 informing us that we must pay a surcharge amounting to Php602.90, aside from the VOC differential bill, basically due to findings/reports of Mr. Acot.

January 8, 2009

• After the season break, I went to the Meralco Branch in Harrison St., Pasay City to verify the Demand Letter we received before Christmas day. Got to talk to certain Ariel de Castro and he admitted that it was he who made the demand letter. Apparently, he was just following orders from the Main Office. He advised me to go to the main office in Ortigas Avenue and file a complaint there.

January 9, 2009

• Went to Meralco Head office and seek clarifications regarding the Demand Letter. I was referred to their Para-Legal Department and had the chance to talk to one of their lawyers, Atty. Tess Joson. She advised me that I make an opposition/complaint letter and address it to Mr. Leonardo Delos Reyes, Head of Meralco Pasay Ext. Office.

January 16, 2009

• I sent, and secured a signed received copy, of the opposition letter to the office of Mr. Delos Reyes. Explaining in details what transpired when the inspection crew ‘visited’ our area.

February 12, 2009

• Received a response letter from the office of Mr. Delos Reyes dated February 9, 2009. Unfortunately, the letter contained more questions or lies than answers. The letter stands by the findings of VICTOR ACOT in spite of the fact that no single evidence was found in our premises. The letter also said that the inspection crew literally experienced bad reception from us and the same likewise happened to their Para-Legal Officers who came over to give assistance. Worst of all, we were being asked to pay Php237,670.80 as a penalty for Violation of Contract. The nature of offense: 410 JUMPER FIRST OFFENSE.

February 17, 2009

• An article bearing the title ‘Reklamo sa Meralco’ appeared in the ‘Prangkahan’ column of Ellen Tordesillas in Abante newspaper. The column published in full my letter to Ms. Tordesillas regarding this issue.

February 26, 2009

• Meralco, thru Mr. Joe R. Zaldariaga, Manager for External Communications, responded in the same column bearing the title, ‘Sagot ng Meralco sa Kaso ni Arman Eusebio’. The response, however, merely affirmed the report done by Mr. Acot and blatantly implied that we were really guilty of benefiting from this illegal connection.

March 6, 2009

• Sensing that we will never get the chance to be heard in Meralco Pasay Branch since the previous letter came from there, I wrote another opposition letter and brought it with me to the Main Office. I answered every issue that was raised in the previous letter sent to me by the office of Mr. Delos Reyes. Together with a friend, we went to the Para-Legal Department and see if Ms. Joson was around. Unfortunately, she wasn’t. But one of the assistants there, Ms. Rowena Salazar, accommodated us.

• We told Ms. Salazar the details of our purpose in going there. She made some phone calls to several people, including Mr. San Pedro and the department from which VIC ACOT is assigned. Ms. Salazar mentioned that in the report, apparently, the inspection team found some ‘abnormalities’ in the flow of current in our area. However, she herself brushed off this reasoning because, as she said, it’s too technical and she doesn’t know how to explain that. But she said she can take a look at our consumption records in the computer. To her surprise, ours were very consistent way before and even after the inspection was done by Mr. Acot in October last year. She said we have a valid complaint, but already warned us that nothing may come out of it because VICTOR ACOT’s superiors may just stand by him.

• Ms. Salazar then referred us to Atty. Horacio Bona, Head of the Para-Legal Department. But even before we get the chance to talk to him, Mr. Gerald San Pedro arrived in his office and initially talked to him. Later on, me and my friend were called to get inside Atty. Bona’s office. We had a very lengthy discussion regarding the issue at hand. One of the good things that came out of that talk was when Mr. San Pedro personally belied the accusation that he and his companion experienced a bad reception from us. Quoting him, ‘Wala. Walang nangyaring ganyan. Maayos iyong pagtanggap nila sa amin.’

March 12, 2009

• As per the advice of Atty. Bona, I prepared another letter for Mr. Delos Reyes opposing the February 9 letter his office sent to me. In it, I answered every issue that was raised in the Feb. 9 letter and even imparted that I have a video clip of Mr. Acot literally showing his ineptness by admitting that he didn’t really get to check our house and that he only believed in what the boy said to him.

March 16, 2009

• A horde of Meralco personnel, policemen and army-clad officers numbering between 30-50 went to our place to implement an order coming from Mr. Bernard H. Castro, Senior Manager & Head, to remove all electric meters in our compound and placed it atop a nearby Meralco post. The order stated that a refusal would mean disconnection of electric services.

• There were 6 electric meters there for 6 different families or houses. Each one of these families was served a notice/letter about the operation. Four of these, including my mother, acceded to the Meralco order. The other 2 refused to oblige simply because of the manner by which the order was carried upon: our family was made to looked-like criminals. Although the officers would keep on telling them that it has nothing to do with the case I raised against Vic Acot, one can’t help but notice that the order and the implementation was isolated to us only. No one among our neighbors were informed nor touched by these people.

• Since there were 2 meter owners who refused to obliged, the electric service in our compound was cut. They had it disconnected then hurriedly left.

• Upon my arrival, me and my cousin proceeded to Mr. Delos Reyes’ office to question the actions done by these men on us. Fortunately, Mr. Delos Reyes was around that time and talked to us. He told us that he didn’t know about what happened and only learned of it when he read the report in his email with a note not to re-connect our services.

• Mr. Delos Reyes likewise told us that the one responsible in that operation was the same group that Victor Acot is assigned to, the Pasig Central Metering Security. He further told us that the letters that I received coming from his office were actually coming from the same group or department. They would just replace the addressee and signatory before sending it out to me. When asked about the possibility of going to as far as filing a suit, Mr. Delos Reyes didn’t discouraged us but then insinuated that no complaints against the ‘other group’ prospered because the officers there would just protect their people. Practically the same warning and/or advice I got from those in the Para-Legal Department.

• Mr. Delos Reyes agreed to help us in having our electricity re-connected if all 6 families will oblige to the orders.

March 17, 2009

• Another set of Meralco personnel came over our place to implement the transferring of the electric meters to a post nearby. They were only five this time, including 2 police escorts. My younger brother had the chance to chat with one of the personnel and mentioned about my apprehension to have our meter touched while the case is not yet over and that I already had it relayed in media. To which the personnel replied ‘Ah na-media na ba? Kaya pala nag-iinit ang tumbong ng mga tao doon. Nagtataka nga kami kung bakit ito lang ang pinatra-trabaho sa amin eh. Dapat buong lugar. Pero ito lang daw ang gagalawin namin.”

• Before they left, they handed my mother a Notice letter, reminding us to be present at the meter testing to be done on March 24 in their Technical Service Bldg. in Ortigas Ave. It was meant to check if the meter has been tampered or not.

March 24, 2009

• I arrived at the testing area around 2:30PM.

• I was readily attended to by very accommodating personnel. Everything needed for the testing was already prepared. I was then called and introduced to the personnel who’ll conduct the testing. A representative from the ERC was likewise on hand to serve as a witness.

• Immediately after removing the plastic cover, they checked the seal. The tester readily called the attention of several people and showing them our old meter. I could hardly hear what they were talking about.

• When he came back, he told me that he was conferring with them the physical status of our meter’s seal. Apparently, and this was really confusing, it was INTACT but they declared it FAKE apparently because there was a ‘fresh cut’ at the tip-end of the seal.

• The tester proceeded with the actual testing of the meter. I was informed that the normal result would yield 100Kwh, but the ERC can give a +20 or -20 allowance. Our meter testing result yielded a reading of 100.6Kwh, very much normal as per their observation.

• It was now down to the seal. By their own admission, our meter has the seal with the markings of both the ERC and Meralco. However, they pointed out to the ‘cut’ that led them to conclude it was fake.

• I was trying to oppose the findings but the ERC representative told me that it wasn’t the proper venue to raise complaints. I was told that I’ll be receiving a letter regarding this finding within 5 days and can challenge this or file a counter-complaint at the ERC office.

May 4, 2009

• I received another DEMAND LETTER based on the testing done to our old meter. The findings were: (1) the lead cover seals were fake and (2) the meter was confirmed tampered. Worse, the letter said that it was our second time that we violated the service contract and we are being billed with yet another amount (Php6,761.35) for such violation. It was a formal demand for us to pay the amount within 10 days, otherwise, our electric service will once again be disconnected.

My contentions:

• For the record, we have no records of anything of this nature against Meralco prior to this incident. So, for them to say that we have violated again for the second time was really absurd. Except of course, if the first time they were referring to was the case Mr. Acot was trying to force on us. But then again, wasn’t that one and the one being referred to in the May 4, 2009 letter, are one and of the same nature?

• What started out as a case of ‘two-illegal wire connections’ being attributed to us, became a case of ‘abnormal flow of current’, then became tampered meter, and finally, fake cover seals. It looks like Meralco is hell-bent in finding every available reason to cover up for the ineptness of one of their employees and save some egos.

• If Meralco insists that the cover seals were FAKE in spite of the fact that the meter testing yielded NORMAL, then that only means two things. Either (a) Meralco is issuing electric meters with fake cover seals (because we got it from Meralco itself and their own personnel were the ones who installed it there); or (b) they only have to ask their personnel who have been so eager to get our meter, especially after this issue came out in media, regarding the ‘cut’.

• It can be noticed that in the Inspection Report done by Mr. Vic Acot on October 9, 2008, the conditions of the Terminal Seal and the Cover Seal were both intact. However, in the Inspection Report given to us when another set of personnel replaced our old meter with a new one on March 17, 2009, it stated there that the Cover Seal is now subject for verification. The finding in the Terminal Seal is still the same. No one has ever touched that electric meter from the time it was installed up to the time Mr. Acot ‘toyed’ with it in October and when it was finally replaced in March, except the Meralco personnel ONLY.

• How come Meralco is isolating this case to us only? What ever happened to ‘fairness and equality’?

Seal is Intact.... But Fake?

On March 17, a new group of Meralco inspectors and/or personnel came over to work on the transferring of all electric meters in our place to a nearby electric post. Part of the ‘new procedure’, as what was previously told us, was to have all meters be replaced with a digital one.

However, it eventually gave us an impression that everything was a ploy to simply justify their motive. None of the replacements were digital. They replaced the units with, still, the mechanical ones.

The personnel removed the old meters. Separately stored them in a plastic bag. Labeled, sealed and instructed us to report on the 24th of March for the testing to be done in Meralco’s Meter Testing Laboratory in Ortigas. So this afternoon, I personally went to see and witness the testing to our old electric meter. It was meant to check if the meter was really tampered or not.

Once there, I was readily attended to by very accommodating personnel. Everything needed for the testing were prepared. Then I was called. The one who’ll do the testing introduced himself to me. A representative from the Energy Regulating Commission was also present to serve as the other witness.

Immediately after removing the plastic cover of our old electric meter, they checked the seal. The tester readily called the attention of several people there. Bringing with him the meter and showing off to several other people. I was puzzled. I didn’t know what was happening since they were talking in ‘silent mode’, I could hardly hear any.

When he went back, he told me that he was conferring with them the physical status of the meter’s seal. Apparently, and this is really confusing, the seal is INTACT but they declared it as FAKE because there was a ‘fresh cut’ found at the tip-end of the seal.

Having this ‘finding’ already, the tester proceeded with the actual testing of the meter. He told me that the normal result yields 100Kwh, but the ERC can give a +20 or -20 allowance. Meaning, if it gives out an 80-120Kwh result, it is still deemed normal. Our meter testing result is 100.6Kwh, very much normal. It’s now about the seal.

I was trying to raise oppositions but the ERC representative told me that it wasn’t the proper venue. The meter tester only acted on what was specifically written in the form that was submitted to them, which was to verify the seal. I was told that I will be given a letter within 5-7 days about the findings. Then I should bring this up with the branch office. If all talks fail, then I can bring the matter to ERC and present our side.

On my way out of the room, I cant help but feel that some sinister people out there will not really give up on us. They will really try to find a way to put the blame on us since they couldn’t come out with a solid hard physical evidence that will prove our guilt of committing a violation against Meralco.

They are now trying to get us through technicality…

I simply cannot fathom how easily can they come out with a conclusion that the seal was fake when they themselves admit that it was very much intact. It still have the markings of both ERC and Meralco in it. And the only basis was the supposedly ‘fresh cut’ found at the tip-end of the seal. Simply unbelievable!

I can sure bet my life that no one has touched that meter except the Meralco inspectors and personnel only. From the moment it was installed up to the time VIC ACOT practically toyed with it last Oct 9, 2008 and when it was pulled out last March 16, 2009, only the good hands of Meralco personnel have touched it.

I could only wonder but no longer surprised.

Discriminatory Rules

A day after the ‘unparalleled harassment’ occurred, 3 Meralco workers and 2 police escorts came over to restore our main electric lines. They did so by transferring all our electric meters to a nearby electric post.

We wouldn’t really question the motive in ‘implementing’ the ‘new procedure’ done to us if not for one very glaring proof that some personnel in Meralco were really ‘very hot on pinning us down’: ours are the only ones that were transferred to the post. No more, no less!

Imagine this: There are at least 10 electric posts before and after our place and about 60-70 houses and/or establishments along the side of the road with access to the main source line of electricity. But you’ll never find any electric meters installed in any of these electric posts, except ours. All 7 of them.

My younger brother even had a little chat with the one of these Meralco guys. He (my brother) mentioned to the personnel about my hesitation to have our meter be removed since there is an on-going case or complaint I raised against one of their colleagues, VIC ACOT, that has already reached media attention.

To which the gentleman said, “Ah na-media na ba? Kaya pala nag-iinit ang tumbong ng mga tao doon. Nagtataka nga kami kung bakit ito lang ang pinatra-trabaho sa amin eh. Dapat buong lugar. Pero ito lang daw ang gagalawin namin.”

Talk about being selective and discriminatory, isn’t it?

Unparalleled Harassment

Last week, March 9, I received a text message from my mother. Apparently, there were Meralco people in our place who wanted to check the electric meters and have them transferred somewhere else. Some of my uncles initially refused but politely told them to secure first a letter coming from their office or from our barangay regarding their plan. They agreed and left but readily went back the following day, their numbers have added. But since they couldnt show any authorization, my uncles refused them entry.

Then just this morning (03/16/09), around 10:06am, may mother called. She was in frantic mode. There was an overkill in the way Meralco implemented their orders!

Imagine more than 5 service trucks, a number of service vans, more than 40 Meralco personnel, police and military people went to our place. If this isn’t grave harassment, I don’t know what you can call this. It was as if a melee, a riot or a gang war has just erupted that merited the presence of these men in uniforms. The traffic was practically halted. Our neighbors from accross the streets have come out to see what was happening. They made us looked like criminals! A cousin of mine tried to take pictures of these people, but one of the policemen shouted at her and stopped her from doing so.

Their purpose was to simply serve the letters that my uncles were asking from them. They presented each one of the owners of the electric meters a letter bearing the 'Customer's Liability' to Meralco that they are 'given permission by the customer to enter its premises without being liable to trespass to dwelling'. (Is this an absolute right? What about the right of the people to be secure in their houses as stated in the bill of rights?)

A refusal to such, would mean that they will disconnect the electric services.

According to my mother, at least four (4) of the seven (7) owners heeded to their will. But the Meralco personnel refused and told them that it has to be all 7 electric meters or the main line will be cut. Which they actually did.

Immediately when I got home, we (with my cousin and an uncle) went straight in Meralco Pasay Branch to seek clarification regarding what transpired earlier. Fortunately, Mr. Delos Reyes was there so we spoke to him. However, Mr. Delos Reyes admitted that he didnt know what happened and only learned of this when he opened his email and received the report together with an order not to have our electric services restored.

We tried to question the manner by which the procedure was implemented. Why disconnect the services of those who are already abiding to their will? Why were the letters served individually to the 7 families/owners and yet, the implementation they wanted was for the whole? Worse, after cutting off the source of our electric lines, all of them left off. Leaving us to wander if it was a legitimate operation or was simply their way of showing us who's the boss? Why only us? Why nothing of the same they did with any of our neighbors? Why were we subjected to such 'humiliation' by making it appear in our community that we were guilty of doing some crimes?

Mr. Delos Reyes, admitted that he can't do anything about what happened to us. Apparently, the decision came from the Pasig Metering Security, the same department where Mr. Acot is assigned. Leading me to conclude that it has something to do with the complaints I raised against Mr. Acot.

It was at this point that I learned from Mr. Delos Reyes that the previous letter I received practically came from this same department. Not entirely his. He would forward all my concerns to this 'group' and whatever this group says, that's what I get.

The PMS, apparently will, by hook or by crook, really stand by the report of Mr. Acot. He confirmed to us that no such thing as 're-investigation' is really happening because what the supervisors will do is just ask the inspector. And if the inspector says there is a violation, the supervisors will believe him and take the report as an immaculate truth!

This, in effect, gave us the impression that no case against any of their inspectors would prosper. In fact, I was already forewarned prior to this conversation, about filing an administrative case against VIC ACOT because, apparently, his superiors will just clear him of any misdoings.

Is this how justice works?

And all the while I thought Gods are only found in churches and myths...

More Queries To Unanswered Issues

While reading through the second letter that was sent to me signed by Mr. Leonardo Delos Reyes, Sr. Manager and Head of Pasay Auxiliary Business Center in response to my request for a 're-investigation' and/or 're-evaluation' of the said inspection report, what seemed to be a simple case of 'just naming the owner of the hand caught inside the cookie jar' suddenly became more complex than ever.

I can't help but feel disgusted on how the supposedly 're-investigation' was conducted because it yielded more questions than answers. The apparent 'impartial investigation performed by the supervisors' were, to put it blatantly, absurd!

Line per line, everything that was stated in the letter is highly questionable and bereft of fact. It caught me tongue-tied, speechless and wandering on how on earth they were able to arrived at such a conclusion.

For the record, I belie the following statements contained in the letter:
1. Mr. Vic Acot had asked the permission of the tenant courteously before he performs his routine inspection.
- My 63 year old mother was surprised when Mr. Acot BARGED IN to our house.

2. …. hostilities and commotions occurred afterwards.
- There was no fighting. I think it was but natural to question their motives since the inspection crews failed to identify themselves by refusing to show any proper identification.

3. … entire crew was then held at the Barangay Hall for questioning
- the inspection crews were the ones who seek the assistance of our barangay officials.

4. Due to police intervention….
- There was none, except PO3 Aruta Jr. who remained silent all throughout the whole time. We barely knew he was a police escort until he was asked his position since he wasn’t in uniform.

5. … seeks the assistance of a Para-Legal Officer who suffers the same fate.
- This is one particular issue whom I believed should have been the easiest for them to verify. Mr. Gerald San Pedro, the Para-Legal Officer whom Mr. Acot called for assistance, already belied this ‘insinuation’. As Mr. San Pedro puts it 'walang ganyang nangyari, maayos nila kami hinarap'

6. …. pictures were taken earlier as part of evidence.
- Were the authenticity of these pictures verified if these were really taken from within our house premises or were these pictures taken from somewhere else? They refused to dignify and yet took them as evidences.

7. … report was duly acknowledged by you and witnessed by PO1 M. Albano
- I never acknowledged any of their report neither I saw nor met this PO1 Albano. Mr. Acot claimed that he was with a barangay official when he went in our house. However, the same barangay official he was referring to, Mr. Gerry Capili, already belied this during the confrontation inside the barangay hall and in front of Mr. Acot. Mr. Capili said that Mr. Acot only seek his presence AFTER he went to our house. Mr. Acot was ALONE when he came up and BARGED IN TO OUR HOUSE contrary to his claim. PO1 Albano wasn’t there at all.

8. The manner of inspection and apprehension and the computation of the differential bill are all in accordance with implementing rules and regulations of RA 7832.
- Though we respect the right of the company to do routine check ups, I guess there is also an existing law that gives us the Right to Privacy. Mr. Acot’s action then was a definite ‘trespassing’, and I don’t think this is part of the company’s rules and regulations. When we inquired to their (Meralco) Hotline on that same date, the personnel who answered our call told us that the inspection crew must present a written authority before they could do their routine check up. But if they couldn’t show any, then what they did is illegal and we can file a case against them.

Furthermore, based on records, our electric consumption has been consistent all throughout the year up to present --- that means before and even after the said inspection was done, one clear evidence that we were not affected at all when Mr. Acot removed/confiscated the ‘two line jumper’ from where he saw them, likewise belying the claims of Mr. Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Manager for External Communications of Meralco, that we benefited at all from this ‘illegal connection’.

Lastly, wouldn’t it proper for Meralco in general or Mr. Acot in particular, to charge us of such a violation ONLY if an evidence or evidences were found INSIDE OUR HOME and not thru mere hearsays and presumptions?

Sagot ng Meralco sa Kaso ni Arman Eusebio

(As published in ABANTE Newspaper on Feb. 26, 2009 under the column of Ms. Ellen Tordesillas)

website: http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=4406

Noong Pebrero 16, inilathala ko rito ang reklamo ni Arman Eusebio, taga Pasay, tungkol sa sinasabi niyang pangi-ngikil ng mga tauhan ng Meralco sa kanila pagkatapos nadiskubre ang jumper sa kanilang katabing bahay noong Oktubre 2008.

Sabi ni Arman, sinisingil siya ng Meralco ng Php237,670.80.

Sabi ni Arman, “Ano bang klaseng trabaho ba ito? Parang isang malaking ‘extortion practice’ itong ginagawa nila eh. Pati ba naman sa Meralco wala na ding hustisya ang mga imbestigasyon?“Kami ang ginugulo ng mga taong ito gayong regular na nagbabayad ng bills ang Nanay ko habang iyong may-ari ng bahay kung saan nila nakita ang ilegal na koneksyon ay wala silang ginawang aksyon. At ang masaklap, hindi nila binigyan ng importansya o sinilip man lang na iyong bahay na iyon ay walang maipapakitang metro pero may mga gamit sa loob ng kanilang tatlong palapag na bahay.”

Sumulat si Joe R. Zaldarriaga, manager for External Communications ng Meralco, at sinabi na walang masama o walang irregular sa ginawa ng mga tauhan ng Meralco.

Hindi rin daw totoo na nagtangkang mag-extort ang mga tauhan ng Meralco. “ It is also not true that our personnel were extorting money from him,” sabi ni Zaldariaga.

“Although he claims to have an active account, findings however reveal that there has been unregistered consumption emanating from a room adjacent to his, which is reportedly being occupied by a certain Mr. Juanito Eusebio. Mr. Juanito Eusebio was found to have no metering facility and was illegally connected. Our findings reveal that this benefited Mr. Arman Eusebio. During our inspection, there were law enforcement officers present since this is required by the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law specifically Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Law,” dagdag pa niya.

Yung P237,670.80 na sinasabi ni Arman ay “recovery of the cost of electricity he should have incurred had he not been found to have illegal connection” o yung talagang bill niya kung hindi nadiskubre ang kanyang ilegal na koneksyun.

“We also would like to stress on record that we strictly observed and adhered to standard procedure while the inspection was being done. Evidence found in his premises speak for itself,” sabi ni Zaldariaga at hindi lang daw si Arman ang apektado dito. Ginagawa lang daw ng Meralco ang kanilang trabaho at kasama doon ang malaman kung magkano ang nagamit na kuryente ng isang customer.

“This should not be taken personally. This is an issue of fairness – to make sure that customers should pay in accordance with their consumption,” sabi niya.

Gusto rin paalalahanin ng Meralco ang mga naglalagay ng ilegal na kuneksyon na maliban sa ito ay delikado dahil sa “substandard connections”, ito ay “morally wrong.”

“ The law prohibits it and the same law empowers distribution utilities such as Meralco with the help of law enforcement agencies to apply it in order to protect electricity consumers,” sabi ni Zaldariaga.

Bukas raw ang Meralco sa pag-uusap kay Arman para naman matulungan siya sa kanyang problema.

Reklamo sa Meralco

(As published in ABANTE Newspaper on Feb. 17, 2009 under the column of Ms. Ellen Tordesillas)

website: http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=4324


Gusto ko po sanang idulog sa inyo ang isang mistulang ‘big time extortion’ na ginagawa ng ilang empleyado ng Meralco sa amin.

Nagsimula po ito noong October 2008 nang magsagawa ng inspection ang ilan nilang mga tauhan sa lugar namin. Apparently ay may nakitang ‘two-line jumper’ ang mga inspector sa isang katabing bahay namin. Kapagdaka’y pumunta sa bahay namin iyong isang inspector. Ikinagulat po ito ng Nanay ko dahil unang-una ay hindi naman niya alam ang nangyayari dun sa ibaba dahil nasa itaas po ang bahay namin. Bigla daw pong pumasok itong inspector na ito na nang tanungin ng Nanay ko kung sino siya at kung ano iyon… sinabi lang daw niya na taga-Meralco siya at inspeksyon lang daw.

Labis na ikinagulat ng Nanay ko nang bumaba siya at makita na tila kukumpiskahin ng mga inspector ang aming metro at nang kanyang tanungin kung bakit nila gagawin iyon ang naging tugon daw ng inspector ay ‘Nay, makipag-ayos na lang po kayo sa akin!’Natural hindi ito naging maganda sa pandinig ng Nanay ko dahil pinalalabas ng inspector na may ginawa kaming mali. Nagkaron ng pagtatalo at nakarating ang usapan sa aming baranggay kung saan parehong pinakinggan ng aming punong-baranggay ang magkabilang panig.Dito ipinaliwanang ng inspector na may nakita silang tinawag nilang ‘two-line jumper’ sa aming kapitbahay. Naka-tapped daw ito sa labas papasok don sa loob ng bahay kung saan nila ito nakita. Dumaan sa kisame ng unang palapag papunta sa may bandang dingding. At dahil kami po ang nasa kabila ng dingding, ipinagpalagay po ng inspektor na iyon ay sa amin.

Gumawa siya ng kanyang report at pinanindigan ang nakita niyang iyon. Na kami daw ay nagkaroon ng ‘Violation of Contract’.

Hindi po namin matanggap ang kanilang naging basehan kung kayat nagkaron ng pagtatalo. Hanggang sa nagmungkahi ako na kung maari ay tumawag sila ng isang nakataaas sa kanila upang ipasiyasat sa kanila iyong ginawang report ng inspektor.May dumating naman po na taga-Investigation Division at Para-Legal Office ng Meralco. Wala na noon ang mga inspektor ngunit ipinatawag sila upang sila mismo ang magpaliwanag ng kanilang report.

Itinuro ng inspector kung saan nila nakita iyong iligal na linya at ipinaliwanag niya kung paano siya nakarating sa konklusyon na kami ang nakikinabang dito.

Nang tanungin ko siya kung nagawa ba niyang pumanhik don sa itaas ng bahay na iyon upang tingnan kung konektado pa din don ang kawad na itinuturo niya, kitang-kita namin iyong pagkabigla niya at ang tanging naisagot lang niya ay ‘hindi ko alam na may itaas pa pala’.

Sa harap ng kanilang dalawang opisyal at ng aming punong baranggay, muli ko siyang tinanong kung posible bang iyong kawad na iyon ay papunta sa itaas at hindi pa-diretso, ang naging tugon naman niya ay ‘ewan ko, basta dito ko nakita iyong kawad’.

Sa puntong iyon, kusa naming inalok na aming gigibain iyong dingding ng bahay upang makita nila kung may kahit na maliit na butas na pwedeng pasukan ang mga kawad na sinasabi nila papunta sa aming bahay. Pero sinabi ng kanilang opisyal na hindi na kailangan at nakita na nila ang dapat nilang makita. Nangako sila sa aming punong baranggay na magbibigay sila ng kanilang ‘final report’ kinabukasan at nagpaalam na.

Nagdaan ang mahigit isang buwan at wala na kaming narinig pa mula sa kanila. Subalit bago mag-pasko ng nakaraan taon ay may dumating na isang sulat or ‘Demand Letter’ sa amin na nagsasabi na kami daw ay kailangan magbayad ng ‘Surcharge’ sa halagang Php602.90 dahil kami daw ay may ‘Violation of Contract’. At kung hindi ay kukumpiskahin na nila ang aming metro.
Sinubukan ko itong i-klaro sa Meralco Pasay Branch at nakausap ko naman iyong mismong taong gumawa at nagpalabas ng ‘demand letter’ na iyon. Pinipilit kong ipaliwanag iyong aming sitwasyon ngunit hindi daw doon ang tamang lugar ng mga reklamo dahil ‘implementation’ lamang sila. Itinuro niya ako na pumunta sa Main Office sa Pasig dahil ang Pasig daw ang nagpalabas ng utos.

Agad din akong nagpunta sa kanilang opisina at itinuro ako sa kanilang Para-Legal Office. Dito, sinabi naman sa akin ng isang abogado doon na ang mga ganitong isyu daw ay dapat sa branch office pa din at hindi sa kanila. Muli niya akong pinabalik sa Pasay Branch at sinabihan na kausapin iyong taong pwedeng mag-desisyon dito.

Pagbalik ko sa Pasay Branch, hindi ako hinarap ng taong dapat kausapin pero nagbigay siya ng instruction sa isang naroon na kung sakali darating ako ay mag-file daw ako ng formal complaint at request for re-investigation. Ipina-hold na rin muna nila ang pagkumpiska ng aming metro habang isinasagawa ito.

Nag-file ako ng akong formal complaint noong January 16, 2009. Naghintay kami na ipatawag or may pupunta sa aming lugar upang magtanong-tanong or mag-occular inspection base sa ipinasang report ng kanilang inspector.

Sa kasamaang-palad, dumaan ang mga araw na wala man lang tumawag or nagpunta sa aming lugar hanggang sa may dumating sa aming sulat (dated February 9, 2009 but received February 13, 2009) galing sa Meralco Pasay Branch Office Head na naglalaman ng resulta ng kanilang ginawang ‘re-investigation’ at ‘re-evaluation’ ng aming isinampang reklamo. Dito kanilang pinangangatawanan ang ginawang report ng kanilang inspector at kami ay pinagbabayad na ng halagang Php237,670.80.

Dito sa ipinadalang sulat ay may binanggit silang kuha ng mga litrato ng kanilang mga ebidensya. Bakit ayaw nilang ipakita sa amin iyong mga kuhang iyon upang i-confirmed kung ang mga kuhang iyon ay sa aming bahay nga ba or sa iba?

Ano bang klaseng trabaho ba ito? Parang isang malaking ‘extortion practice’ itong ginagawa nila eh. Pati ba naman sa Meralco wala na ding hustisya ang mga imbestigasyon?

Kami ang ginugulo ng mga taong ito gayong regular na nagbabayad ng bills ang nanay ko habang iyong may-ari ng bahay kung saan nila nakita ang ilegal na koneksyon ay wala silang ginawang aksyon. At ang masaklap, hindi nila binigyan ng importansya o sinilip man lang na iyong bahay na iyon ay walang maipapakitang metro pero may mga gamit sa loob ng kanilang tatlong palapag na bahay.

Ngayon po ay nagbabanta na naman sila na kukumpiskahin na ang aming metro kung hindi namin mababayaran ang halagang hinihingi nila.

Sana po ay matulungan niyo ako na mailabas ito at muling ma-imbestigahan upang makita kung sino ang mga nagkasala at dapat maparusahan. Gayundin upang mabigyan ng leksiyon o aral ang mga inspector na hindi pwedeng ‘pressumption’ ang kanilang maging basehan sa kanilang mga gagawing aksyon or report dahil napaka-seryoso ng kasong ‘illegal connection’