For the third consecutive month, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is set to implement another power rate hike this December due to higher generation charges.

Meralco has announced that power rates will increase by P0.33 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Customers who consume 200 kWh will have to pay additional P61 in their power bill while customers consuming 300 kWh will pay additional P91.

Customers will have to pay additional P122 and P152, respectively, for consuming 400 kWh and 500 kWh.

“Kapag nagkakaroon tayo ng mga sudden outages na nagreresulta sa yellow or red alerts, kapag tiningnan mo iyong historical data, talagang nagkakaroon ng pressure for prices to go up in the market (When we have sudden outages which result in yellow or red alerts and if you look at historical data, there really is a pressure for prices to go up in the market),” Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said.

He added that they are continuing their efforts to restore the power supply in some areas affected by Typhoon Tisoy.

“We have sent a contingent to Bicol to assist ALECO in its postal restoration,” he said.—AAC (with reports from Joan Nano)

It’s not what everyone thought it was. A scene that looked like an attempted robbery, turned out to be a different story.

The man in the viral video, who was later identified as Jomar, was seen clinging outside a moving jeepney while reaching inside the vehicle trying to punch someone.

After seeing the video, netizens slammed Jomar for his actions and immediately alerted the Manila government.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso invited those involved in the incident, and Manila Police District Director Bgen. Bernabe Balba, to a press conference where it became clear that the scene was sparked by a personal feud.

Jomar allegedly was only helping his friend, Edison, whose wife got harassed by a man inside the jeepney along Taft Avenue last Sunday (November 17) afternoon.

Edison said they chased the man after he tried to escape.

“Nagtangka po siyang tumakas kaya sinugod na namin sa jeep (He tried to escape so we followed him inside the jeepney),” he said.

“Inunahan niya po kasi ako ng suntok kaya sinundan ko na rin ng suntok (He threw the first punch, so I punched him back)” Edison added.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso lauded the Manila Police District for their quick response to the incident. He also reminded Jomar and Edison to always trust the government in providing justice.

“Huwag niyong ilalagay sa kamay ninyo ang batas. Sumangguni kayo sa kapulisyahan, (Don’t put the law into your own hands. Trust the police),” he said.

“Sana muli ninyong pagkatiwalaan ang pulis at ang pamahalaan na magbibigay ng hustisya kapag kayo naagrabyado, (I hope you can again trust the police and the government in providing justice when an abuse is committed),” he added.—AAC

MANILA, Philippines – Local authorities of the Philippine capital will be filing charges against an SUV driver who dragged a traffic law enforcer holding on to his vehicle along Laong-Laan in Sta. Cruz when apprehended for disregarding lane marking.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso scolded the errant driver, identified as Orlando Ricardo Jr., 54, who was put behind bars after he was nabbed following the incident.

Reports said that a Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) enforcer named Adrian Lim was left injured after he held onto Ricardo’s vehicle along the streets of Samploc and Sta. Cruz in Manila on Saturday.

CCTV footage showed Lim hanging onto a speeding and swerving gray SUV until he fell off near Laong-Laan road. He was brought to a hospital by responding first aid providers from the Philippine Red Cross.

Ricardo was apprehended by authorities along Oroquieta and Tayuman streets.

Mayor Isko said the driver had “criminal intent” to harm the traffic law enforcer.

“May criminal intent. Nakita ko (sa CCTV footage) winawasiwas niya,” he said.

“Mas mahal pa ibabayad niya sa abogado niya. Pero sa P500 kaya niyang pumatay ng isang enforcer,” Domagoso said referring to the penalty of a traffic law violation committed by Ricardo.

Meanwhile, Mayor Isko commended Lim’s dedication to his job.

The victim, who sustained several injuries, has been discharged from the hospital after undergoing medical examination.

Ricardo, who is currently detained at the Manila Police District Station 3, has denied allegations he also punched Lim, and that he was in possession of a gun during the incident.