THE Supreme Court (SC) has denied Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s (Nordeco) motion for reconsideration, clearing the way for Davao Light and Power Co., the distribution utility unit of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), to expand its operations into parts of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro under Republic Act No. “That respondent Davao Light may be allowed to expropriate Nordeco’s properties does not violate the constitutional prohibition on exclusive franchises,” the SC said. The ruling allows Davao Light to provide electricity distribution services in several areas of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, including Tagum City and the Island Garden City of Samal. Following the ruling, Davao Light said it would focus on strengthening its electricity distribution network in the expanded franchise area. Davao Light is the country’s third-largest privately owned electric distribution utility.