Emergency powers feared to lead to huge debt

The P7-billion debt that the government accumulated in the 1990s after it intervened in power generation is fueling Congress’ resistance to granting President Benigno Aquino 3rd emergency powers.

Rep. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, a member of the Joint Congressional Power Commission, made the disclosure on Tuesday in connection with a move of the House of Representatives to inquire into the expected power shortfall in the summer of 2015 instead of granting outright the President such powers.