MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into rising electricity rates and mounting consumer complaints over high power bills, disputed meter readings and system loss charges.

Under Senate Resolution No. 511, Lacson called on the appropriate Senate committee to determine whether existing regulations provide sufficient protection against excessive, unreasonable or avoidable electricity charges.

“While fluctuations in electricity prices may be attributed to supply constraints due to geopolitical tensions, higher generation costs, foreign exchange rates, mandatory charges and other market factors, it is incumbent upon the legislature to exercise its oversight function,” Lacson said.

In his resolution, Lacson cited the increase in Meralco’s residential electricity rate from PHP13.2730 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in January to PHP14.8261 per kWh in July 2026.

He also pointed to consumer complaints involving alleged irregularities in electricity meter readings and the passing on of system loss charges, including losses attributed to meter tampering, illegal connections and the use of jumpers.

According to Lacson, these losses are ultimately shouldered by paying consumers, raising concerns over whether distribution utilities have adequate incentives to curb electricity theft and improve operational efficiency.

The proposed inquiry seeks to identify measures that would enhance transparency, accountability and consumer protection in the power sector.

Lacson’s resolution follows a separate measure filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros calling for an investigation into alleged inaccurate meter readings and unusually high electricity bills.

Meanwhile, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to accelerate the modernization of the country’s power grid to support the growing use of renewable energy and electric vehicles.

“A more efficient and flexible power system is key to ensuring stable and affordable electricity,” Gatchalian said.

He said upgrading the power grid would allow the integration of residential solar installations, electric vehicle charging stations and other decentralized energy resources, while enabling surplus renewable energy to be stored in large-scale battery systems.

“Ngayon at nag-anunsiyo na naman ang Meralco ng dagdag singil sa electricity bill kasunod ng pagtaas ng generation cost dahil sa mahal na krudo at buwis, mas lalong mahalaga ang modernisasyon ng grid upang mabawasan ang hindi episyenteng pamamalakad at mapababa ang gastos sa kuryente sa pangmatagalan (Now that Meralco has again announced an increase in electricity bills following higher generation costs due to expensive crude oil and taxes, grid modernization has become even more important to reduce inefficiencies and lower electricity costs in the long term),” Gatchalian said.

He added that modernizing the grid could help minimize power losses, improve electricity transmission and distribution, and contribute to a more reliable and affordable power supply.