Meralco to resist gov't management.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Carlito Pablo and Rocky Nazareno

THE NAMES of some of the country's illustrious businessmen have already been dangled before it, but Manila Electric Co. refuses to bite.

Meralco president Jesus Francisco yesterday said it was "very, very difficult" to accept Malacanang's proposal for the government to take over the management of the country's largest distributor.

Asked whether Meralco's management was going to government hands, Francisco said: "Palagay ko, hindi naman ho siguro (I believe that's not going to happen)."

The power firm, the country's second largest company in terms of revenue, once again drew support from maverick administration solon Sen. Joker Arroyo.

The government proposal to take over Meralco's management was nothing but "crass opportunism and subtle arm-twisting," Arroyo said in a press statement.

It was not a solution to the utility's problems, he …