Sen. Panfilo Lacson has sought an inquiry on the continuing increase in electricity rates and the “bill shock” experienced by consumers.
He filed on Monday Resolution 511 urging the Senate to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation, to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection in the power industry.
“While fluctuations in electricity prices may be attributed to supply constraints due to geopolitical tension, higher generation costs, foreign exchange rates, mandatory charges, and other market factors, it is incumbent upon the legislature to exercise its oversight function to determine whether existing regulatory mechanisms effectively protect consumers from excessive, unreasonable, or avoidable increases in electricity charges,” Lacson said.
He noted that in the past months, Meralco customers have reported “substantial and unexplained increases” in their electricity bills or “bill shock.” Lacson cited reports that in January the Energy Regulatory Commission authorized Meralco and four power generation firms to recover P31.34 billion in costs due to various changes in circumstances (CIC), which was expected to result in higher electricity rates beginning March 2026.
In April, Meralco raised electricity rates by P0.5335 per kWh. While power rates declined in May, they increased again by P0.1488 per kWh in June with Meralco citing high wholesale electricity prices, rising fuel costs, and the depreciation of the peso.
Overall, Meralco’s residential rate from January to July 2026 saw an increase from P13.2730 per kWh to P14.8261 per kWh, Lacson said.
