INTERVIEW-Manila's GSIS says may sue PLDT group over Meralco

* Metro Pacific deal gives control to PLDT group - GSIS

* PLDT should make tender offer to minority shareholders

* GSIS stands to lose out on 6 bln pesos if no tender offer

MANILA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - A government pension fund that is a minority shareholder in Manila Electric Co (MER.PS) said on Tuesday it plans to move court to compel the PLDT group (TEL.PS) to make a tender offer.

Refusing to do so would be tantamount to "defrauding the investing public," said Winston Garcia, president of state pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which owns 4 percent of Manila Electric, or Meralco.

Last week, the PLDT group forged a $471 million deal for a 6.7 percent stake in Meralco, giving the former control of 41.4 percent in the power firm. With First Philippine Holdings (FPH.PS) voting with the group, it will effectively control 48 percent of Meralco.

The purchase by PLDT sister firm Metro Pacific (MPI.PS) is not a direct buy, but rather it transfers control of the stake to the PLDT group, taking its own effective holdings over 35 percent, the trigger point for a tender offer. Garcia told Reuters the tender offer offer should go ahead.

No one from the PLDT group was immediately available for comment.