Survey: Power Disruptions Erode Public Trust in Batangas Utilities
April 25, 2025 – MANILA — A recent province-wide survey has revealed growing dissatisfaction among Batangas residents over the unreliable electricity service provided by BATELEC 1 and BATELEC 2. The findings show that frequent outages are eroding public confidence in the province’s two largest electric cooperatives, with many residents now considering alternative providers. The survey, conducted by Capstone-Intel Corporation, covered all 34 cities and municipalities of Batangas and included 1,200 respondents. Using Probability Proportional to Size sampling to ensure representativeness, the study found that 62 percent of respondents experience one to two outages per month, while others reported as many as ten. Among the hardest hit are consumers served by BATELEC 2, with 93 percent reporting multiple interruptions. In comparison, 81 percent of BATELEC 1 customers reported similar experiences. These brownouts typically last one to two hours, but some extend to three hours. In contrast, residents in areas served by other distribution utilities reported fewer disruptions, highlighting a significant difference in service reliability. “These findings underscore a widening gap in electricity service across the province,” said Dr. Guido David, Chief Data Scientist of Capstone-Intel. “Reliable electricity is not just a convenience—it’s a prerequisite for economic growth and quality of life.” The survey also tracked consumer satisfaction, revealing that BATELEC 1 and BATELEC 2 both scored below the provincial average of 4.09. BATELEC 1 received a rating of 3.96, and BATELEC 2 scored 3.90. Their customer service ratings also lagged, with scores of 3.80 and 3.90 respectively, compared to the average of 4.04. Significantly, many residents expressed a desire to switch providers. Among respondents served by BATELEC 2, the willingness to transfer was particularly strong. In response to mounting criticism, BATELEC II issued a public statement in late 2023, attributing the outages to environmental causes. “The power interruptions across Batangas are due to storms and other weather disturbances that cause damage to power lines and insulations,” said Joan Orias, Consumer Services and Public Relations Manager of BATELEC II. With midterm elections approaching, power reliability has emerged as a major political issue. A significant portion of respondents said they are willing to vote for candidates who prioritize resolving Batangas’ electricity issues. Support for such candidates was highest among BATELEC 1 consumers. Capstone-Intel concluded that improving service reliability is essential for the province’s development, noting Batangas’ role as a hub for industrial zones, ports, and growing towns. Dr. David emphasized, “This survey is a wake-up call—not just for utilities, but for government leaders as well. The people of Batangas are demanding dependable power, and they’re paying attention to who delivers it.” The survey was conducted in April 2025 and had equal male and female representation among respondents. Read the full study result here: https://www.capstone-intel.com/a-study-on-the…/
Paolo Duterte endorses Querubin for Senate
Via GMA News Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte threw his support behind retired military officer Ariel Querubin in the upcoming midterm senatorial elections. During a recent campaign event, Duterte urged voters to support the PDP-Laban slate, naming Querubin among his recommended candidates. “PDP-Laban na mga senador. I-vote straight nyo na lang ‘yan. Tapos kulang sila ng dalawa, no? Marami naman kayong pagpipilian… Andiyan si Honasan. Andiyan si Querubin. ‘Di kayo matatalo diyan,” he said. (Please vote straight for PDP-Laban senatorial bets. If you’re looking to fill two more slots, there are many good choices—like Honasan and Querubin. You won’t go wrong with them.) Querubin, running as an independent, has also secured endorsements from Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Grace Poe, and JV Ejercito. He was previously named as one of the senatorial bets endorsed by the 1Sambayan coalition. Former Commission on Elections Commissioner and PWD Partylist nominee Atty. Rowena Guanzon has also publicly backed his Senate bid. Querubin was involved in a failed coup attempt against former President Corazon Aquino in 1989, which reportedly resulted in a civilian casualty. He was detained for his role but later granted amnesty. In 2006, he participated in the Fort Bonifacio standoff opposing then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which led to his re-arrest and subsequent amnesty. He was also linked to the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007 but once again received amnesty—this time from then-President Benigno Aquino III. Despite his past, Querubin has stood by his actions, saying his involvement in the uprisings was driven by a desire to fight corruption. Support for party-list Meanwhile, TRABAHO Party-list received backing from candidates in vote-rich cities. Caloocan City officials and members of Team Aksyon at Malasakit raised the hands of TRABAHO first nominee Atty. Johanne Bautista during the Distrito Uno Grand Rally over the weekend. The motorcade of Manila mayoral candidate Isko Moreno also included TRABAHO second nominee Ninai Chavez as they campaigned in Tondo. Based on Comelec data, Caloocan and Manila have 765, 249 and 1,142,172 registered voters, respectively. PBB host and alumna Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, on the other hand, portrayed in a short video a clairvoyant reading the numbers one, zero, and six to an employee distressed with low pay and long hours of work. She said those lucky numbers will give the employee a hopeful future.
Slight Fuel Price Rollback Set for April 8; Diesel Prices to Remain Steady
Motorists are in for a bit of relief as fuel prices are set to decrease this week, following two consecutive rounds of increases. In separate advisories, Seaoil Philippines Corp. and Shell Pilipinas Corp. announced that they will reduce pump prices by P0.10 per liter of gasoline and P0.50 per liter of kerosene. There will be no change in diesel prices this week. Cleanfuel will apply the same rollback to gasoline but will not adjust kerosene prices, as the brand does not carry the product. The price rollbacks will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, for most fuel companies. Cleanfuel, however, will implement its adjustments a little later, at 8:01 a.m. on the same day. As of this writing, other fuel companies have yet to release their respective price advisories. Oil price movements are typically announced by retailers every Monday and take effect the following day. The Department of Energy – Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) earlier anticipated potential increases in gasoline and diesel prices, while kerosene prices were seen to either rise or fall. However, developments in the global market shifted the outlook. According to DOE-OIMB, the expected adjustments are tied to several international factors: “United States President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on trading partners including EU, China and Korea, stoking concern that a global trade war may dampen demand for crude.” “Oil prices dipped slightly as worries about the impact of the trade war on global growth outweighed concern about a hit to supply from threats by US to impose secondary tariffs on Russian crude.” “China’s refineries expected to decline in both March and April, with the peak maintenance season.” Last week, on April 1, oil firms raised prices by P1.40 per liter for gasoline, and P1.20 for both diesel and kerosene. The week prior, prices increased by P1.10 per liter for gasoline and P0.40 for diesel and kerosene, making this week’s rollback a modest but welcome change for consumers.
“Senate Legal Team Reviews Subpoena Amid Executive Privilege Dispute”
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate’s legal team is currently evaluating the proposed subpoena for resource persons from the Senate foreign relations committee, following the cabinet members’ claim of executive privilege. Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero stated that this review aims to prevent any potential constitutional conflict. In a press briefing on Thursday, Escudero explained that he had already signed a subpoena to summon Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon and an unnamed Philippine Air Force general to attend the upcoming hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest. This was done at the request of Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on foreign relations. Escudero mentioned that after the Palace rejected the invitation to the executive branch officials, citing executive privilege, he decided to refer the matter to the Senate’s legal department instead of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. “Although at that time, I had already signed the subpoena for those two requests by Sen. Imee,” Escudero recalled. He continued, “So, instead of sending it to the OSAA, I sent my signed subpoena to the Senate legal team to analyze the implications of invoking executive privilege concerning the subpoenas I signed.” Escudero emphasized, “The last thing I want, amidst the current turmoil in our country, is to add another issue by triggering a constitutional crisis, related to subpoenas on one hand, and the invocation of executive privilege on the other.” He concluded, “That’s why, even though I am a lawyer, I decided to refer it to our legal department for proper recommendations.” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that the Palace had chosen to “respectfully decline” the Senate panel’s invitation for April 3, citing executive privilege and the sub judice rule. This decision, however, was met with dissatisfaction by Senator Marcos, who appealed to the Palace for reconsideration, requesting that the invited cabinet members be allowed to attend the hearing. In a letter dated April 1, Marcos expressed that the justifications given by Bersamin were insufficient to prevent the executive officials from attending the proceedings.
Gasoline and Diesel Prices Set to Rise Next Week, Kerosene May See a Change
Gasoline and diesel prices are expected to increase next week, while kerosene could either rise or drop slightly, according to the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) on Friday. DOE-OIMB assistant director Rodela Romero outlined the potential price changes for oil products: Gasoline: Increase of P0.30 to P0.70 Diesel: Increase of P0.20 to P0.60 Kerosene: No change, or an increase/decrease of P0.20 Romero explained that the anticipated price adjustments are due to several factors, including: U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs on trading partners such as the EU, China, and South Korea, raising concerns about a potential global trade war that could reduce crude demand. A slight dip in oil prices as fears over the trade war’s effect on global growth outweighed concerns about supply disruptions, particularly in response to U.S. threats of imposing secondary tariffs on Russian crude. China’s refineries expected a decline in output in March and April due to the peak maintenance season. Final adjustments to pump prices will be made after Friday’s last trading day, Romero noted.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court Upholds Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol
South Korea’s Constitutional Court voted unanimously on Friday to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, officially removing him from office after a turbulent period that included his controversial declaration of martial law four months ago. The court’s decision was met with cheers from thousands of rally-goers in Seoul, marking a dramatic downfall for Yoon, who had risen from being a renowned prosecutor to the presidency in just over a year. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae stated that the court’s decision was based on Yoon’s actions related to the martial law declaration, which occurred despite South Korea not facing any immediate security threats. Yoon’s controversial decision led to the deployment of hundreds of soldiers to parliament while opposition lawmakers attempted to block the decree. Although the martial law lasted only six hours, it triggered a political crisis, unsettling financial markets and straining diplomatic relations. Yoon’s actions were further criticized for violating the constitution by mobilizing military and police forces to “obstruct the exercise of legislative authority,” according to Moon. As a result of his removal, fresh presidential elections must be held within two months. In the interim, Acting President Han Duck-soo will lead the country, ensuring that national security, diplomacy, and public order remain intact until the new elections. Han pledged to manage the election process smoothly and in accordance with the law, ensuring a seamless transition to the next administration. In a statement issued by his defense team, Yoon expressed regret for failing to meet public expectations and called it a “great honor” to serve as president. While many celebrated the ruling, Yoon’s supporters, gathered outside his residence, expressed their grief, waving South Korean and U.S. flags and chanting slogans. Moon explained the decision, stating that the constitutional order and the significant consequences of Yoon’s violations necessitated his removal, emphasizing that the benefits of upholding the constitution outweighed the potential harm caused by removing a sitting president. Without presidential immunity, Yoon now faces a criminal trial for charges related to insurrection. His party, People Power, accepted the court’s decision, though they expressed regret over the outcome. Lawmaker Kwon Young-se apologized to the public for the situation. Polling suggests that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal opposition Democratic Party, is an early favorite to succeed Yoon, despite facing his own legal challenges, including corruption trials.
Hungary to Withdraw from ICC Amid Netanyahu’s Visit
Hungary has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the government confirmed on Thursday, just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the country for a state visit. “The government will initiate the withdrawal procedure on Thursday, in accordance with the constitutional and international legal framework,” stated Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The ICC has faced increasing scrutiny, particularly after issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu. Despite the warrant against him over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Netanyahu arrived in Budapest on Wednesday for diplomatic talks. Gulyás criticized the ICC, arguing that it had strayed from its original purpose and turned into a “political body.” He pointed to the warrant against Netanyahu as an example, stating that Hungary never incorporated the ICC’s 1998 Rome Statute into domestic law, making the court’s arrest warrants unenforceable in the country. He also noted that major military powers, including the United States, have never been ICC members, with the U.S. even imposing sanctions on the court. Hungary’s move aligns with statements from other nations questioning the ICC’s authority. Earlier this year, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that Netanyahu would not be arrested if he attended a memorial event in Auschwitz, despite the ICC warrant. The arrest warrant, issued in November, accused Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza and of deliberately targeting civilians—allegations Israel has denied. In response, Orbán invited Netanyahu for a state visit and accused the ICC of interfering in ongoing conflicts for political reasons, arguing that such actions only escalate tensions and undermine international law. Hungary will become one of the few nations to leave the ICC, following Burundi’s withdrawal in 2017. Other countries, such as South Africa and The Gambia, have considered leaving but ultimately reversed their decisions, citing concerns over ICC bias against African nations. The Philippines also withdrew in 2019, though its former president, Rodrigo Duterte, remains under ICC investigation for alleged human rights violations linked to his controversial war on drugs.
NATO’s Rutte: Any Ukraine Ceasefire Must Be “Lasting”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized on Thursday that any ceasefire or peace agreement in Ukraine must be permanent to ensure long-term stability. “I commend of course the American efforts to break the deadlock, that is important. We have to make sure that whenever a ceasefire or a peace deal is reached that it is enduring, that it is lasting,” Rutte stated. Rutte stressed that the outcome of the war in Ukraine extends beyond the two countries involved, calling it a “global conflict.” He pointed out that Russia is working closely with its allies—China, North Korea, and Iran—to advance its strategic goals. He also highlighted that the war’s outcome will have far-reaching consequences, particularly for global security, including in the Indo-Pacific region. “Ultimately there is an audience of one which will be judging the outcome of this war and that is the first secretary of the Communist Party of China, Mister Xi Jinping,” Rutte said. “And he will be watching who comes out on top. Is it Russia or the West? And that will also inform him in his next steps in the Indo-Pacific, I have no doubt.” His remarks were echoed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who emphasized the need for a “long-lasting, comprehensive peace.” “Ukraine has shown its readiness to achieve peace. We accepted the US proposal for a full interim 30-day ceasefire without any conditions. This proposal is still on the table. But we can see that instead of accepting it, Putin talks about demands and conditions,” Sybiha said. “Russia must get serious about peace,” he added, urging the international community to increase pressure on Moscow to negotiate a settlement. “Now is the time for diplomacy, but also pressure and deterrence. While the media attention is on global trade wars, we must not forget, there is a real full-scale war going on in Europe. Russia remains an existential threat to Europe,” warned Sybiha. The statements came as NATO foreign ministers, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, convened in Brussels to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Marcos Jr. Excludes Imee Again in Campaign Speech, Fuels Speculation
STA. ROSA, Laguna — For the second time, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not acknowledge his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, while endorsing the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Senate candidates on Saturday. Marcos Jr. Highlights 11 Candidates, Skips Imee During the rally, Marcos Jr. emphasized that the coalition has 11 senatorial candidates, leading to further speculation that Imee may no longer be fully aligned with the group. “Let us unite for our alliance. Let us not turn the Alyansa into a coalition of ten, 11 persons, 11 candidates running for senator with the Alyansa,” he told the crowd. Imee was not present at the event, similar to the previous day’s campaign rally in Trece Martires, Cavite, where the president also did not mention her name. Possible Rift Over Duterte’s Arrest? Imee is one of three administration candidates who were reportedly unsettled by the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. However, while Sen. Pia Cayetano and Rep. Camille Villar—who also expressed concerns—were still acknowledged by Marcos Jr., Imee remained absent from his speech. Imee Responds to the Omission When asked about being left out, Imee brushed off the issue, stating: “It’s okay, after all, I already said that I would focus on investigating the illegal events that took place when former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was taken.” She reiterated that her priority is looking into Duterte’s extradition, questioning why the government allowed a Filipino citizen to be surrendered to a foreign institution. No Official Confirmation on Imee’s Status Despite Marcos Jr.’s continued silence on Imee, Alyansa campaign manager Toby Tiangco assured that there are no discussions about removing any candidate from the slate. Meanwhile, Villar, who missed the last two rallies due to illness, was spotted campaigning in Caloocan City over the weekend.
Maynilad Eyes Record-Breaking IPO Worth P49 Billion This Year
Maynilad Water Services Inc. is preparing for what could be the largest initial public offering (IPO) in Philippine history, with its stock market debut potentially reaching P49 billion this year. In a regulatory filing on Friday, the company announced that its board of directors had approved the sale of up to 2.46 billion common shares at a maximum price of P20 each. The offering will include a base offer of 1.81 billion shares, with an overallotment option of 266.31 million shares if demand is high. Maynilad may also increase the offer by an additional 379.3 million shares. If priced at the maximum amount, the IPO would surpass the P48-billion record set by Monde Nissin Corp. in 2021. IPO Timeline and Market Conditions Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez confirmed last week that the company is preparing to launch the IPO within 2025, depending on macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions. Maynilad, which operates under a concession agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), is jointly owned by DMCI Holdings Inc., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corp. As part of its concession terms, Maynilad is required to offer at least 30% of its shares to the public by January 2027. However, Fernandez noted that waiting until 2026 might be risky. “If you understand our predicament, if we push it next year, we might be running out of options,” he explained. “The sweet spot is this year.” The company has already appointed HSBC, Morgan Stanley, and UBS as financial advisors for the listing. Investor Outlook Maynilad’s planned IPO comes at a challenging time for investors, as the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) has dropped nearly 4% year-to-date due to global trade tensions. Despite this, Pamela Victoriano, senior vice president for investment banking at Unicapital Securities Inc., remains optimistic, stating that the PSEi is undervalued compared to regional markets, which could create opportunities for investors. “With favorable market conditions, we anticipate more companies tapping the public markets in 2025,” Victoriano said.