SENADO 2016, sino nga ba?
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Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla
Liberal Party
Born: April 29, 1963
Department of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla is the second Cabinet member to intend to resign from the Aquino administration.
He handed in his resignation letter after he failed to totally bring back electricity to Tacloban, Leyte which was badly hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.
Petilla formerly promised to resign should areas affected by Yolanda remain without electricity by December 24.
“I will have no word of honor if I stay on and in public service. Word of honor is extremely important,” he told Rappler.
Petilla initially was hesitant to take the Cabinet position. He was enjoying his third term as governor of the province of Leyte, where he, his family, and his forebears came from.
His family consists of politicians as well. His father, Leopoldo Petilla, was the Leyte governor before he (Jericho) took the position while his mother, Remedios Loreto-Petilla, was the mayor of Palo, Leyte. His brother, Dominic, took his place as Leyte governor when he entered Aquino’s Cabinet as Energy secretary in 2012.
It is also worthy to mention that he is part of a political clan, the Loreto-Cari-Petillas, who have long ruled Leyte.
With this vast political background, one would think that Petilla entered politics early in life. However, his term as governor was his only political experience before he became a member of the Cabinet.
When he won in the 2004 gubernatorial elections, Petilla created the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Leyte Province Investment Code of 2004. This encouraged companies to invest in the province; after which, Leyte was awarded three times by the president as one of the most business-friendly provinces in the country.
Petilla also started the Hospital Enhancement for Leyte’s Progress program or HELP, which enhanced healthcare facilities and offered incentives to public hospital doctors so that they could work full-time. HELP received the Seal of Good Housekeeping award, the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award, the Hall of Fame Award and the Presidential Award for Outstanding Leadership in Providing Quality Health Service.
As Energy secretary, he introduced many innovations in the sector, including those related to the environment, to investment, and to informations technology (IT).
He initiated the installation of solar panels on rooftops of government buildings, academic institutions, corporate offices, and residential houses through his Solar PV Program. This was a step forward towards sustainable energy.
To maintain this, he also crafted rules to encourage investment in sustainable energy.
Websites aiming for education and transparency on the providers of electricity and operating cost of appliances, such as kuryente.org.ph and wattmatters.org.ph, were also created.
Petilla’s life turned around when Yolanda hit Tacloban in 2013. After bringing electricity to 317 out of 320 towns affected by the super typhoon, leaving three without electricity, he intended to resign from his post. Many applauded this move. However, President Aquino didn’t accept his resignation.
With another challenge up against him – the imminent energy crisis in 2015 due to shortage in power supply – Petilla announced a request for emergency powers for the President to enter electricity power contracts. Prior to this, only the private sector could enter contracts such as these.
This is the fastest way to solve the problem and prevent rotating blackouts, according to Petilla.
However, critics were not so keen on the request.
“It is very dangerous to grant emergency powers to anyone with a dictatorial propensity like President Aquino, as can be seen with his usurpation of Congress’ power and now threatening the Supreme Court after it declared the Disbursement Acceleration Program unconstitutional,” Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said in a Rappler report.
Now out of the Department of Energy after another resignation in 2015, Petilla filed his certificate of candidacy for a senatorial position. His campaign platform includes energy, health and education.
He aims to lower electricity bills and push for renewable energy, increase knowledge on information and communications technology among students, and continue the gains of his previous health programs.
Before becoming a politician, Petilla entered several multinational IT companies as consultant and programmer. Eventually, he co-founded Direct Data Capture, a multinational business dealing with process outsourcing and knowledge process outsourcing.
He was also president and CEO of Accudata Incorporated, International Data Conversion Solutions Incorporated, and was co-owner of Datahold in the United Kingdom which is now Consumer Cloud Services.
There are more businesses to add to his list. He created Direct Data Resources Limited, Decision Support Systems Incorporated, Data Conversion Technology Incorporated, Coredata Incorporated and Freight Process Outsourcing Solutions Incorporated from 1989 to 2014.
He studied Management Engineering in Ateneo de Manila University and taught Information Technology and Computer Programming in his alma mater upon graduating.
He ranks low in the March 4 to 7, 2016 Social Weather Stations survey as he is not included in the top 24 senatorial candidates.
References:
https://carlosjerichopetilla.com
http://www.rappler.com/business/46634-petilla-to-resign-over-failed-promise
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/552609/aquino-rejects-petilla-resignation
Profile written by Maisie Joven
Photo source: politics.com.ph