As the 2025 midterm elections approach, consumer advocacy group Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE) has issued a stern reminder to electric cooperatives across the country: focus on delivering affordable and reliable electricity, not on political agendas. In a strongly worded statement, PARE highlighted growing concerns over the misuse of cooperative resources and platforms to promote political candidates and partylists.
Nic Satur, Jr., Chief Advocate Officer of PARE, emphasized the core mission of electric cooperatives, stating, “Electric cooperatives are mandated to serve consumers, not politicians. Their time, resources, and expertise should be dedicated to providing least-cost power—not to political campaigns.” His remarks come in response to what PARE describes as “questionable posts” by some electric cooperatives in recent weeks, which appear to endorse specific candidates or political groups.
According to Satur, the advocacy group has observed electric cooperatives openly sharing candidates’ activities—such as visits from politicians or partylists—on their official pages. “Leading up to the 2025 Midterm Elections, we have observed that there have been questionable posts by electric cooperatives in the past couple of weeks that seemingly endorse a political candidate or partylist,” he said. PARE also noted instances where cooperative team members were assigned to support campaign efforts, further diverting resources from their primary responsibilities.
Satur argued that such actions not only breach the neutrality expected of electric cooperatives but also undermine their duty to member-consumer-owners (MCOs). “When leaders of electric cooperatives use their influence for political endorsements, it diverts their attention from pressing energy concerns. Consumers are left with higher rates, unreliable service, and mismanaged resources,” he warned.
The group also pointed to general assemblies and member-consumer-owners gatherings where candidates or partylists were present, with their tarpaulins and posters prominently displayed. Satur stressed that these events should remain focused on critical issues like power rates and service improvements. “These events must be a venue to discuss power rates and other electric cooperative concerns only. Last we checked, candidates and partylists are not an electric cooperative’s main concern,” he said.
PARE’s call to action is clear: electric cooperative officials must recommit to their mandate. “We call on EC officials to uphold neutrality and focus on improving energy services, not politics,” Satur urged, adding that their duty lies in ensuring “affordable and reliable electricity for member-consumer-owners (MCOs), not to take sides in elections.”
The advocacy group’s statement has sparked renewed discussion about the role of electric cooperatives in the Philippines, especially as energy costs and service reliability remain pressing issues for millions of consumers. With the midterm elections looming, PARE’s plea serves as a timely reminder of the need for accountability and focus within the sector.
What do you think—should cooperatives stay out of the political fray to better serve consumers?
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