The Department of Energy (DOE) will enlist the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to enforce the ₱24-billion fine against Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., owned by Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the company repeatedly ignored notices and demands after failing to meet its contractual obligation to generate 12,000 megawatts of electricity.
“As far as (the) DOE is concerned, (the) decision… is already final kasi we’ve waited for them to file a motion for reconsideration, (pero) wala rin. So we will collect,” Garin said in a television interview.
She added, “But if they refuse to pay, then we bring it up to the (OSG) level or the DOJ level (to) determine what’s the good legal recourse that we have.”
Alongside the penalty, the DOE terminated 28 power supply contracts covering 12,000 megawatts—enough to power an estimated 12 million households.
Garin stressed the cancellations were necessary due to Solar Philippines’ failure to deliver.
Asked if the firm would be given more time to respond, Garin was firm: “No more. We always allow naman extensions if you just explain… But we’ve given them time, we’ve given them so many chances, and actually kami pa yung humihingi ng update, but nothing. We’ve waited for so long, and I don’t think we can give so much credibility in any of their response anymore.”
She described the company’s silence as alarming: “There’s no response at all. Parang di lang pinapansin yung sulat or notice of DOE. That’s kind of strange because these are contracts that we rely on. We have a commitment there. So nothing, no movement. Parang zombie contract lang siya.”
Garin said the case could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
“It’s already been sent, the termination, along with the fines, the dues that they should pay. If we don’t get the response or payment within the time that it’s been prescribed, then we have to take this to court,” she noted.