$950M riding on OK of power reform bill.

Malacanang is asking Congress to fast-track the approval of the proposed Omnibus Power Reform Act, noting that close to $1 billion in foreign funding is "riding on its approval."

Energy Secretary Mario V. Tiaoqui was set to make a presentation in last Wednesday's Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting in Malacanang on the urgency of passing the bill.

The meeting, however, was later called off.

In his presentation on the power reform bill, copies of which were distributed in advance to lawmakers who were set to attend the meeting, Mr. Tiaoqui sought the "immediate passage" of House Bill (HB) 8457, as the reform bill is otherwise …