Polomolok Court Halts SOCOTECO II–Ignite Power Plebiscite with New 72-Hour TRO

A Regional Trial Court has issued a fresh 72-hour Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), dealing a new setback to the ongoing membership vote on the proposed Conditional Joint Venture Agreement (CJVA) between the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) and Ignite Power and Energy Holdings Inc..

Executive Judge Allan Edwin P. Boncavil of the Polomolok RTC granted the ex parte TRO on September 21, 2026. The mandate effectively bars cooperative officials and Ignite Power representatives from conducting, implementing, or administering the remaining scheduled dates of the plebiscite.

The court noted that the initial voting dates of September 19 and 20 had already concluded and are beyond the reach of the new legal block. However, the 72-hour freeze directly impacts the upcoming voting windows. Prior to the court order, SOCOTECO II had officially expanded its plebiscite schedule to span across September 26–27, October 3–4, and October 10–11, 2026, to compensate for earlier disruptions.

This latest injunction marks yet another legal hurdle in a highly contested corporate partnership. It closely follows a September 11 decision by a separate branch that had dissolved a previous TRO. The current 72-hour freeze remains in effect unless otherwise lifted or extended by the court. This is a developing story.