Gubernatorial candidate Atty. Dan Neri Lim expressed confidence that his allegations against Governor Aris Aumentado will prosper before the Ombudsman, citing wrongdoing in the sale of 70 percent of Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) shares to a group led by billionaire Enrique Razon.

Lim, former mayor of Tagbilaran City, made the statement during a recent episode of Barug Bohol over radio station DYTR. 

He alleged that Aumentado’s administration mishandled the sale of BLCI shares, which were previously owned by SPC Power Corp.

The gubernatorial candidate also suggested that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines sponsor a debate between a lawyer from Aumentado’s camp and lawyer Kurt Bongabong to discuss the issue publicly. 

Lim believes that the issue about the sale of BLCI shares is a legitimate one and should be publicly discussed.

Lim also clarified that the only reason why former Governor Rene Relampagos and others were not litigated for the sale of the Provincial Public Utility Department (PPUD) was due to inordinate delay and the issues surrounding the joint venture agreement surrounding PPUD’s assets were never discussed.

Aumentado, on the other hand, downplayed Lim’s allegations, saying that the gubernatorial candidate is trying to make the issues legitimate. 

The governor also claimed that people who were against the joint venture agreement were unable to fully prosecute Relampagos and others.

Meanwhile, Aumentado’s allies defended the governor against Lim’s allegations, saying that Aumentado never gave any order to keep a hands-off policy on Dextel Trading, which has denied Lim’s accusations. 

Lim had alleged that Aumentado asked the officials of the then Office of Government Accountability and Review (OGAR) to keep their hands off Dextel Trading as the owner is allegedly a close ally.

According to Lim, Dextel is allegedly involved in the alleged overpriced purchase of medicines procured by the provincial government. 

However, Dextel has denied Lim’s accusations during a press conference.

In a separate development, former Governor Rene Relampagos insisted that the joint venture agreement between Salcon and the provincial government of Bohol should have been terminated as there was no prior written agreement to sell the majority shares in Bohol Light Company Inc.

Relampagos made the statement during his guesting over Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on November 13, 2024, with Ardy Araneta-Batoy. 

He said that the provincial government could have reacquired the entire ownership of BLCI when Salcon decided to sell its stake.

By getting back the ownership, it could have been an opportunity for the provincial government to look for other partners, Relampagos said. 

He added that in the past 24 years that BLCI has operated, it has shown that it is a profitable enterprise without sacrificing the services to Tagbilaranons.

Relampagos pointed to the leadership and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for allegedly missing out on the potential of getting a better shake for Tagbilaran consumers. 

He said that they might not have conducted due diligence on the matter and might be held liable.

Relampagos also raised questions about the sale of BLCI shares, saying that it does not make sense for Salcon to sell a profitable enterprise. 

He wondered why Salcon decided to sell when the enterprise is known to be profitable, saying that no right-thinking businessman would venture to sell a goose that lays the golden egg.

Relampagos revealed that he had heard rumors that the franchise renewal of BLCI might face rough sailing and this might be the reason why SPC Power Corp. decided to sell its stake to Primelectric Holdings Inc. led by billionaire Enrique Razon.

The franchise renewal of BLCI is currently pending in Congress, with House Bill No. 10888 seeking to extend the franchise of BLCI to serve its franchise area, which covers the entire Tagbilaran City. 

The bill is supported by the three solons of Bohol, dispelling rumors that only one of them was ready to support the franchise renewal.

The unity shown by the three solons indicates that they are bent on helping in the franchise renewal and continuing BLCI’s services. 

BLCI is now under the Primelectric Holdings Inc. of the Razon group and affiliated with the More Power Inc., the electric distributor in Iloilo City.

Relampagos gave a background story behind the BLCI, saying that there were at least five entities that joined the competitive selection process and SPC Power Corp. came up with the most favorable bid. 

The joint venture was done in order to improve the delivery of power services to the people of Tagbilaran City.

Relampagos said that even the province has 30 percent ownership of BLCI, it never shelled out any amount to obtain the shares. 

He observed that the province has been getting dividends from the BLCI operation for the past 24 years and it boggles the mind why give up a profitable enterprise.

Lim, on the other hand, is willing to return his license as a lawyer if ever his case against Aumentado will not reach first base. 

He expressed confidence that his allegations will prosper before the Ombudsman, citing wrongdoing in the sale of BLCI shares.