The National Electrification Administration respects the views of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on the issuance of NEA Memo on Appointment of Electric Coop Managers.  NEA, however, reiterates the rationale on the agency’s issuance of the said memorandum that it is an exercise of NEA’s quasi-legislative function under Sec. 4-A of PD 269 as amended by RA 10531 which provides, as follows:

“Sec-4-A, Supervisory Powers of the NEA Over Electric Cooperatives, – In the exercise of its power of supervision over electric cooperatives, the NEA shall have the following powers:

 "(a) issue orders, rules and regulations, motu proprio or upon petition of third parties, to conduct investigations, referenda and other similar actions on all matters affecting the electric cooperatives; xxx.”

Meanwhile, a Summon from the Regional Trial Court, Branch 35, Santiago City, Isabela for the case filed by ISELCO 1 as represented by its Board President Presley C. De Jesus vs. The National Electrification Administration Board of Administrators (NEA-BOA), represented by DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and the National Electrification Administration (NEA)   by Administrator Emmanuel P. Juaneza dated 18 February 2022 on Petition for Nullification, Certiorari and/or Prohibition (To Annul and Declare Null and Void NEA Memorandum No. 2021-055 and NEA Memorandum No. 2021-056, both dated December 13, 2021 was served to NEA.

The NEA Legal Services Office is currently addressing this concern. It has initially sent a letter of endorsement to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for the handling of the case.

NEA shall address this matter at the right time in the proper forum.###