Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno has renewed calls for a congressional inquiry into electricity charges imposed by Manila Electric Company (Meralco), arguing that lawmakers must address mounting public concerns over rising power costs and the complexity of electricity billing.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Diokno said Congress has an opportunity to strengthen public trust by responding swiftly to issues that directly affect the daily lives of Filipino consumers.
“May pambihirang oportunidad ngayon ang Kongreso. Sa unang pagkakataon sa mahabang panahon, tila tumataas ang kumpiyansa ng mamamayan sa institusyon. Huwag sana natin ito sayangin. Suklian sana ito ng kapwa naming mambabatas ng mabilis na aksyon at solusyon, (Congress has a rare opportunity right now. For the first time in a long time, it seems public confidence in the institution is rising. Let us not waste this. I hope our fellow lawmakers reciprocate this with swift action and solutions,)” Diokno said.
The lawmaker emphasized that many households find it difficult to understand the numerous charges appearing on their monthly electricity statements, making it harder for consumers to determine whether the amounts being billed are justified.
“Working families should not be left confused or overwhelmed by electricity bills they cannot fully understand or verify,” he added.
Diokno, along with fellow Akbayan Party-list Representatives Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao, filed House Resolution No. 995 seeking an investigation by the House Committee on Energy into pass-through costs and subsidy-related charges included in electricity bills.
The proposed inquiry would examine various components of electricity pricing, including generation and transmission charges, system loss fees, universal charges, lifeline subsidies, the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All), Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All), missionary electrification charges, and other taxes and fees authorized under existing laws.
The lawmakers are also calling for a broader review of electricity pricing policies and subsidy programs, particularly the implementation of the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program, to determine whether these mechanisms remain effective and equitable for consumers.
In addition, they are seeking an assessment of distribution utilities, including Meralco, to evaluate whether current electricity rates are transparent, reasonable, and aligned with the public interest.
“This is about easing the burden on households and addressing a fundamental cost-of-living pressure,” Diokno said.
“If these charges are legitimate, they must be clearly and intelligibly explained. If they are excessive or poorly designed, Congress has the duty to correct them. Electricity is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity, and our people deserve clarity, fairness, and accountability,” he added.
Diokno also reiterated his opposition to the value-added tax (VAT) imposed on system loss charges, describing the policy as an unfair burden on consumers who already shoulder the cost of electricity losses within the power distribution system.
“Isang malinaw na kalabisan at hindi makatarungang pasanin natin ang VAT sa system loss. We are asked not only to pay for system loss that we did not benefit from, we also shoulder the taxes that come with it. Tapusin na natin ang hindi makatarungang patakarang ito. (The VAT on system loss is a clear excess and an unjust burden on us. We are asked not only to pay for system loss that we did not benefit from, we also shoulder the taxes that come with it. Let us put an end to this unfair policy.)”