Plebiscite Resumes for SOCOTECO II-Ignite Power Deal Amid Deep Regional Divide

A deep divide has emerged among consumers and local institutions over a proposed Conditional Joint Venture Agreement (CJVA). The deal matches the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) with Ignite Power and Energy Holdings, Inc.. Friction has intensified following a crucial legal victory for the cooperative and a strong counter-push from Catholic bishops and local stakeholders.

The Legal Green Light

On September 11, 2026, Assisting Judge Vicente Andiano of the Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in Polomolok, South Cotabato, lifted a temporary restraining order (TRO) that blocked the plebiscite. He also denied an application for a preliminary injunction filed by a cooperative member. The court ruled that allegations of a lack of board transparency and claims of irreparable injury were speculative. The judge noted that the contested deal remains conditional and incomplete.

Following the ruling, the SOCOTECO II Overall Plebiscite Committee announced that voting among its 300,000 member-consumer-owners (MCOs) will proceed on September 19–20 and September 26–27, 2026. Voting originally slated for September 12–13 was canceled. The cooperative cited limited preparation time directly following the late-afternoon court order.

The Argument for Modernization

Proponents argue that privatization is necessary to stabilize a heavily strained utility framework. Ignite Power is a joint venture backed by Enrique Razon Jr.’s Primelectric Holdings Inc. and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s MP Holdings Inc. Proponents plan to inject massive capital.

Currently, SOCOTECO II faces severe operational bottlenecks. The cooperative has logged ₱2.1 billion in accumulated losses alongside bleed rates exceeding ₱40 million monthly due to aging infrastructure. Under the proposed CJVA, Ignite Power would buy 70% of the distribution assets in cash, leaving a 30% equity stake to the cooperative. A five-year modernization blueprint aims to lower technical system losses from 8.25% down to 5.5%. Proponents promise this drop will ease user costs. To show momentum, roughly 5,000 members recently rallied across General Santos City and Polomolok to voice explicit support.

Direct Resistance

Conversely, a fierce wall of opposition is being steered by the Catholic clergy. Local consumer and community groups like the Bantay Kuryente Movement and SAC-Marbel lead the charge. They are joined by political figures like General Santos City Representative Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles and City Councilor Cesar Bañas Jr. Representative Bañas-Nograles has already filed House Resolution No. 1392 calling for a formal congressional inquiry.

In a formal complaint received by the Office of the Ombudsman on September 8, 2026, Bishop Cerilo Casicas of the Diocese of Marbel and Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos demanded the immediate preventive suspension of the SOCOTECO II Board of Directors. Opponents outline three core risks:

Bypassed Bidding: Critics argue the transaction skipped a strict Competitive Selection Process (CSP) and meaningful public consultations.

Conflicts of Interest: Local advocates like Atty. Virgilio Alconera have publicly alleged a conflict of interest. They note National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda—who approved the deal's framework—is the brother of Donato Almeda, a high-ranking executive within the Ignite/MORE Power corporate family.

Economic Burdens: The Diocese warns that shifting to a private-sector partner strips regular citizens of cooperative control. They caution it could expose households to higher, volatile electricity rates.

The ultimate fate of the regional grid now rests completely with the consumers as they head to the ballot boxes for the remaining weekend plebiscites.