Semirara Mining and Power Corp., part of the Consunji Group, has filed a petition before a regional trial court to block a demand by the Department of Energy (DOE) for the disclosure of proprietary asset information. The company argues that sharing such data with other bidders in the upcoming Semirara coal mine auction would violate trade secret protections and give competitors an unfair advantage. The case was first reported by Philstar Biz.
The DOE directive requires Semirara to submit detailed geological and operational data as part of the auction process for its flagship coal mine in Antique province. The state energy agency intends to share this information with all qualified bidders to ensure transparency and a level playing field. Semirara contends that the order oversteps regulatory authority and could compromise decades of proprietary exploration and development data.
The court petition marks an escalation in the long-running dispute over the coal mine's privatization, which the government views as a key step to boost energy security. Industry observers say the case could set a precedent on how far regulators can compel strategic asset disclosure without undermining business confidentiality. A hearing on the petition is expected within the month.