MikeLigalig.com

by Phil News Agency

The Visayan Electric Co. Inc. (Veco), the lone power utility in Metro Cebu, Monday filed a P168-million electric pilferage case before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office against the management of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Barangay Lahug, this city.

Ethel Natera, Veco spokesperson, said the pilferage was discovered by Veco's Revenue Protection Staff on Feb. 7 to 17, 2011.

Veco criminal complaint against the hotel’s management was for alleged violation of the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.

Veco is also seeking payment of P168,699,560.86, representing differential billing for the pilfered electricity consumption from August 2007 until its discovery on February this year.

This is so far the biggest pilferage claim Veco has filed against any of its customers.