Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno has urged electric distribution utilities (DUs) to stop passing system loss charges to consumers immediately following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, rather than waiting for formal legislative amendments to take effect.
“Nananawagan kami na kahit na wala pang amendment sa batas huwag na ipasa itong system loss sa consumer,” Diokno stated. “We hope that the companies involved will act even without an amendment.”
During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos called on Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to prohibit power distribution companies from shifting system loss costs onto electricity consumers.
In line with consumer welfare efforts, Akbayan filed House Resolution 995 to investigate electricity bill components—including generation, transmission, system loss, lifeline subsidy costs, and taxes.
The resolution also targets reviewing existing Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) orders and evaluating EPIRA provisions to ensure power charges adequately protect consumers.
Assessing the President’s SONA, Diokno rated it “incomplete,” explaining that while several presidential commitments were positive, significant work remains with only two years left in the current administration.
While welcoming the chief executive’s anti-corruption stance, the lawmaker stressed that real accountability goes beyond merely filing legal cases.
“Ang hinihintay namin, ano ang gagawin ng pamahalaan para hindi na maulit. What systemic changes are they going to make, or have they made to ensure that this does not happen again,” Diokno emphasized.
Diokno also expressed disappointment over the absence of calls for long-overdue governance reforms, including legislation to curb political dynasties, reform the party-list system, and pass the Freedom of Information Act.
“Good governance is built not on promises alone, but on the courage to pursue meaningful reforms and uphold the rule of law without fear or favor,” the lawmaker said. “Hindi lang puro pangako ang dapat ibigay sa taumbayan. Kailangan natin ng isang pamahalaan na transparent, may pananagutan, at hindi sisirain ang tiwala ng publiko.”
Additionally, Diokno expressed support for the administration’s continued stance on defending national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the need for sustained government action.