GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Bantay Kuryente Movement formally launched its campaign on Thursday, January 29, with a press conference at White House Café, calling for transparency and accountability in the management of the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II).
Spokesperson Edmund Cejar emphasized that member-consumer-owners (MCOs) have a legal right to be informed about the cooperative’s finances, operations, and ongoing discussions on possible privatization. He warned that a private takeover could diminish the participation of MCOs in decision-making, particularly in determining electricity rates.
“We are part owners of SOCOTECO II. If they bring in a partner, they disregard our co-ownership and our voice in determining electricity rates. What is the truth? They are not telling us why there are brownouts,” Cejar said.
“If SOCOTECO II is taken over by a company, that means they become the sole owner. When you are the sole owner, you decide on everything," he added.
Persistent outages, delayed infrastructure upgrades, and unresolved financial issues have already eroded public confidence in SOCOTECO II. A recent audit by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) revealed nearly a decade of stalled modernization projects, aging distribution lines, and weak disaster preparedness—leaving households, businesses, and critical institutions vulnerable to frequent power interruptions.
The press conference also came on the heels of Ignite Power Corp.’s announcement of its interest in operating and managing SOCOTECO II. The consortium, composed of MP Holdings Inc. of former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Prime Electric Holdings Inc. of businessman Enrique Razon, proposed to assume management while allowing SOCOTECO II to retain a 30 percent ownership stake.
In response, Bantay Kuryente convenors and attendees signed a petition addressed to SOCOTECO II’s Board of Directors. The letter demanded full financial disclosure, leadership accountability, transparency in privatization talks, mandatory public consultation, creation of an independent oversight body, and safeguards against political interference.
Cejar clarified that the movement is not outright opposing privatization but is focused on ensuring that the rights and interests of member-consumers are protected throughout the process.
“At the end of the day, they will have to decide for themselves,” he said.
Representing MCOs, community stakeholders, and concerned citizens across Sarangani, General Santos City, Polomolok, and Tupi in South Cotabato, the Bantay Kuryente Movement vowed to continue pressing for truth, fairness, and responsible governance in SOCOTECO II.
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