Power pilferage rap against city hall employee up
While City Mayor Jerry Treñas defended city hall employee Anita Encarnado, chief of the Real Property Tax Division, from the allegation that she has illegally tapped electricity from power lines, the management of Panay Electric Company (Peco) vowed to pursue the case against Encarnado with the assurance that she will be given due process.
According to Peco's report, on August 21, 2007 the team headed by Engr. Val Ichon recovered two-meter insulated conductor from Encarnado's house in Mansaya, La Paz which was attached to Peco's secondary line. The same team also discovered a slit, covered with a blue electrical tape, on Peco's secondary line which is believed to be used for tapping electricity.
Treñas, however, doubted the report of the inspection team as he noticed that the recovered electrical lines were longer compared with the actual distance of Encarnado's house to Peco's electrical post.
He said in media interviews that he could not believe that Encarnado could have done it. He said there might be individuals who just want to discredit the city hall division chief.
Engr. Randy Pastolero, Assistant to the President of Peco, stood by their team's apprehension report. He also assured that due process will be given to Encarnado on the charges they will file. Peco's legal department will furnish Encarnado of the team's operation report.
Pastolero did not elaborate more on Encarnado's case as she will given opportunity to be heard based on Peco's operation report.
Encarnado was in her office at the Iloilo City Hall when PECO's team effected the operation in Barangay Mansaya, La Paz. The operation was part of Peco's campaign to eliminate power pilferage in the city.
Reportedly, Peco is contemplating of filing charges for violation of the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Power Transmission Lines / Material Act of 1994 against Encarnado.