Court Lifts Restraining Order on Socoteco II-Ignite Plebiscite, Paving Way for Vote

MANILA, Philippines — South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) has secured a victory against attempts to block a plebiscite on its proposed partnership with Ignite Power and Energy Holdings Inc. after a regional court lifted a temporary restraining order (TRO), removing legal hurdles for member-consumer-owners to vote on the planned deal. In a 12-page ruling dated September 11, the Regional Trial Court in Polomolok, South Cotabato, granted Socoteco II’s motion to lift the TRO, which had initially affected voting set earlier this month and was extended until September 24. The court dismissed allegations of a lack of transparency in Socoteco II’s move to approve the conditional joint venture agreement as “speculative.” “What plaintiff offers is a conjecture presented as violation, and an injunction will not protect a right founded on nothing more than speculative claim,” the decision read. It added, “The parties still need to finalize the proposed deal, as it remains conditional and incomplete.” The court stated that if irregularities marred the plebiscite, the plaintiff could still present his case and seek to nullify it, including the planned joint venture. Socoteco II announced that voting could now proceed, with dates set on September 19 to 20 and September 26 to 27. The partnership also has the backing of boxing legend and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, along with Prime Electric Holdings Inc. led by Razon. This development is a significant step towards potentially stabilizing and improving power supply in the region. Socoteco II serves millions of member-consumers, and the partnership with Ignite Power is expected to bring in infrastructure investments and enhance service quality. However, ongoing scrutiny regarding the transparency of the decision-making process and the long-term implications of the partnership will remain crucial.