Iriga LGU to sue solon over P300-M power bill story

By Paulo DS Papa

“All I have said has factual bases. In short, true.”

This was the statement given to the media by Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Nelson Legacion weeks ago, before Gov. LRay Villafuerte announced that he had filed disbarment and cyber libel cases against the legislator.

Legacion, who represents the province’s third congressional district, is known for his interventions in issues outside his jurisdiction in the name of public service, including the years-long road problem along the Andaya Highway and the franchise application of the Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative (Casureco III).

He has also criticized the provincial government over what he described as more than 10 years of delay in the Naga Airport reorientation project and what he called unjust compensation for farmers whose farmland was bulldozed for the CamSur Uptown Project.

Legacion said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had passed a resolution authorizing the governor to file a case against him.

He also said in an earlier statement, which he reiterated in a recent social media post, that the Villafuertes file lawsuits against individuals who speak up for farmers and other people seeking assistance.

Meanwhile, Villafuerte said during a press briefing days ago that he had already filed disbarment and cyber libel cases against Legacion.

“It will be okay with me if he criticizes me, but [if he criticizes] the province as an institution, it is not acceptable,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte also said Legacion had made statements regarding the unpaid power bill of the Iriga City Government to Casureco III, prompting the local government to consider filing a case against the congressman.

Legacion earlier disclosed the dispute between the Iriga City Government and Casureco III over their respective financial obligations.

According to Legacion, the Iriga City Government claimed that Casureco III owed it about P125 million in franchise and real property taxes, while the electric cooperative maintained that its remaining balance was only about P9 million.

Casureco III, on the other hand, has been pursuing payment from the Iriga City Government for its unpaid electricity bills, which it said had reached more than P380 million, including interest and penalties.