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’