The National Association of Consumer Organizations (NASECOR) is calling on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to check if Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is overcharging consumers.
In a January 22, 2026 letter, NASECOR president Petronilo Ilagan asked how many of Meralco’s subsidiaries and related businesses fall under the law requiring utilities to pass earnings from other businesses back to customers.
Section 26 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (RA 9136) mandates separate accounting, clear audits, and bill reductions when utilities earn from rate-based assets.
“Linawin lang natin ito. Hindi ito reklamo. Hindi rin ito akusasyon. Isa itong diretsong tanong para sa consumers… May audit ba? May malinaw bang segregation ng accounts? At may bill reduction bang pinapasa sa consumers kapag may kinita?” Ilagan asked in a Facebook reel.
“Hindi po ito konklusyon. Ito ay clarification na hinihingi ng consumers. Dahil simple lang ang logic: kung may income na dapat bumaba sa singil pero hindi naipapasa, ang ending, mas mataas ang binabayaran ng consumers kesa sa dapat,” the former Department of Energy undersecretary added.
Ilagan stressed they are not seeking special treatment, only fair and transparent enforcement of the law.
“Ang transparency ay hindi paninira. Ang audit ay hindi kaaway. Ito ay normal na bahagi ng tamang regulasyon lalo na kung milyong milyong Pilipino ang umaasa sa kuryente araw-araw,” he concluded.
