The impending increase of water and power rates here is like the Sword of Damocles hanging over local consumers which could certainly become one of the major issues to be raised in the forthcoming political exercise.

Of late, the city government was able to withhold the implementation of the water rate hike via a court order which is now reflected in our water bills. But the question is how long could the city withhold such implementation through the legal means.

On the other hand, Bohol Light Company has "manifested" with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) that it is implementing a power rate increase pursuant to an authority granted to the defunct Provincial Electric System which it succeeded.

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No wonder that Gov. Erico Aumentado has started to flex some muscles in pursuing a buy-back of the twin public utilities from the hands of Salcon. The city government, through City Mayor Dan Neri Lim is joining the fray considering the interest of city residents constituting the biggest bulk of water and power consumers.

Last Friday, the governor publicly announced that he is sending the letter of intent to Salcon for the re-acquisition of the 70% stake in these two public utility companies.

The ultimate question now is whether Salcon is willing to deal or not to deal.

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It is our considered opinion that if the provincial government is really hell bent in re-acquiring the 70% stake, then it should attack the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) itself through an action for rescission.

Rep. Edgar M. Chatto, who was the presiding officer of the Sangguiniang Panlalawigan which ratified the JVA, mentioned last week of some exit points in the agreement. Just like the governor's offer to buy back the 70% stake, we doubt if Salcon has any interest of these schemes.

In the meantime, we can declare without batting an eyelash that the present city officialdom is definitely backing the governor's bid in the best interest of the city water and power consumers.

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SP UPDATES. The 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagbilaran led by Vice-Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes approved last Wednesday the supplemental budgets of barangays Cogon (P3,720,939.01), Manga (P178,334.75), Cabawan (P132,687.89) and Dsmpas (P105,750.80) all for the year 2006.

Majority Floorleader Jose Antonio S. Veloso sponsored the corresponding resolutions approving the supplemental budgets.

Meanwhile, city lawmakers are studying the proposal of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) and the city traffic consultant, to make the portion of city street going to the city airport as a one-sideparking street.

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INBOX. Here's a reaction on our piece entitled "The Ugly City". Nelson Galan wrote: "I usually read the Bohol Chronicle online. In your Jan. 10 issue, 'The Ugly City", you mentioned Victor Coquilla of Antequera, Bohol. I don't know if this Victor is the same one that I know of, Victor "LOLONG" Coquilla who is also from Antequera but he already passed away sometime in October of 2006. He was once a co-employee at Timex, Lapu-lapu City and was later assigned in our U.S Office and stayed back in Cebu a few years before his demise."

Yonie Malig-on of Mansasa District also e-mailed us to extend her belated holiday greetings from Hawaii: "It's nice to read your column.

By the way, the Manny Pacquiao fight was great! We had a bottle of wine and champagne in celebration of his victory. He is amazing that we Filipinos can be proud of. Do you know that his grandparents are originally from Buenas Aires, Carmen Bohol?

No wonder he's a strong man kay kaliwat man diay siya ni Dagohoy ug ni Sikatuna., just kidding.

Anyway you keep up the good work and I hope 2007 brings forth a great promise for the future and wishing you and your family joy, peace, prosperity and continued blessings from God."

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For comments and suggestions, just e-mail to the following e-mail addresses: obiter@boholchronicle.com