Robin Padilla backs review of Meralco franchise, seeks return of public utilities to gov’t

Senatorial hopeful Robin Padilla is opposed to the privatization of public utilities in the country.

For Padilla, the national government must take back control of public utilities such as water and power to lower the costs for consumers. He is worried the privatization of public utilities only aggravated the burden of Filipino consumers.

Padilla made the comment after agreeing with proposals to review the franchise of Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The actor allied with President Duterte is running for senator for the first time in the 2022 elections.

“Opo dapat Lang po. Yan po ang isang nagpapahirap sa Taong Bayan dahil ginawang private ang isang public utility,” he said on Facebook, reacting to a Net25 network’s poll if people are in favor of the review of the Meralco franchise.

“A public utility is an entity that provides goods or services to the general public. Public utilities may include common carriers as well as corporations that provide electric, gas, water, heat, and television cable (system),” he said.

Padilla found illogical to let “private” companies own and manage “public” utilities in the country. He warned that utility costs cannot be controlled if private firms continue to operate them.

“Kaya po hindi makontrol ang mga sinisingil nito kasi privatize na siya. Kailangan po ito Mabalik sa gobyerno Para bumaba ang singil/ Tsaka Public siya sa salita pa Lang hindi logical na ginawang private,” he said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)