Peco debunks resignation of top exec

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo and Francis Allan L. Angelo

ENGR. Randy Pastolero, assistant vice president for operations of Panay Electric Co. (Peco), remains an employee of the embattled power distribution firm.

“Ari pa di siya subong. As of today, wala siya nagresign (He is still here. As of today, he has not resigned),” according to a text message from Peco corporate communications officer Mikel Afzelius.

Afzelius issued the clarification when the Daily Guardian sought their reaction to reports that Pastolero has quit Peco.

Talks of Pastolero’s resignation comes at a time when Peco is facing its major challenge so far after losing its congressional franchise to the Enrique Razon-led MORE Electric and Power Corp.

MORE Power upped the ante when it filed an expropriation case with the Iloilo Regional Trial Court against Peco in a bid to possess the latter’s power distribution assets.

Peco insiders and observers have considered Pastolero as the “go-to guy, spokesperson, and face of Peco” up until the MORE Power debacle surfaced.

While he denied Pastolero’s resignation, Afzelius hinted that Pastolero has been focusing on his beverage distribution business and might opt for retirement.

“Ang ila retirement hindi man na ya gulpyada but as of now gaubra pa di siya sa Peco (Their retirement will not be sudden but as of now he is still working for Peco),” he added.

Afzelius also labelled reports on Pastolero’s resignation as “jumping the gun” or getting ahead of things.

He also assured that Peco’s operations will continue even if someone resigns or retires.

“We have more than 200 employees, pira man lang na ang isa ka bilog (That’s just one person).”

The Daily Guardian tried to reach Pastolero but to no avail.

But sources privy with Pastolero’s movements told DG that he tendered his resignation for two reasons – his growing business and Peco’s legal debacles.

“But the owner prevailed upon him to stay until the situation is solved. As to why talks of his resignation surfaced, I don’t know why,” one source told DG.