Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list is demanding an immediate House investigation into the methodologies and processes used by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in setting electricity rates, including pass-through charges that have burdened consumers.

BH Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), with the help of the Commission on Audit (COA), should conduct a full audit of Meralco’s books to determine if the utility has settled all obligations to its customers.

Nazal urged the House Committees on Energy and Good Government and Public Accountability to act on House Resolution (HR) No. 976, filed with SAGIP Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta last May 4, 2026.

“Because the public demand transparency,” he stressed.

“Nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng komprehensibong audit ng ERC sa Meralco para mabigyan ang publiko ng malinaw at buo na impormasyon ukol sa mga kita at utang nito. Ano mang hiling na pagtaas presyo sa panahon na ito ay dapat lang na pag-aralan ng mabuti bago ipatupad,” Nazal said.

(It is only right for the ERC to conduct a comprehensive audit of Meralco to provide the public with clear and complete information about its earnings and debts. Any request for a price increase at this time must be carefully studied before implementation.)

Consumers have long been clamoring for the ERC to complete its audit of Meralco’s refunds, which stemmed from overcollections.

The resolution noted that repeated refund orders amounting to tens of billions of pesos—including about P67 billion in aggregate refunds and a recent directive of P14 billion—constitute prima facie evidence of systemic deficiencies in rate-setting validation and oversight.

“Has Meralco actually refunded everything that it owes its customers? What I cannot understand is why Meralco is seeking for a rate increase when it has been found to be overcharging consumers many times over,” Nazal said.

The inquiry would examine issues such as the legal basis for pass-through charges, prudence of costs passed on to consumers, valuation methodologies, system losses, subsidy mechanisms, refund transparency, and reconciliation of approved revenues versus actual collections.

Among the submissions being sought is Meralco’s explanation of its monthly adjustments in generation, transmission, and systems loss charges, including the formulas and data inputs used.

BH founder Bernadette Herrera says any electricity rate hike is ill-timed given oil price fluctuations caused by the war between the United States and Iran.

“For the past several months, ordinary Filipinos have been struggling to make ends meet due to the impact of the spike in oil prices. Tumataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin at lumiliit ang kita ng maraming small businesses, tsuper at operator. Ano mang pagtaas ng presyo ng kuryente ngayon ay magdudulot lang ng karagdagang pasan sa taongbayan at karamihan sa kanila ay hindi na ito kakayanin,” Herrera said.

(For the past several months, ordinary Filipinos have been struggling to make ends meet due to the impact of rising oil prices. The prices of goods are increasing and the income of many small businesses, drivers, and operators is shrinking. Any increase in electricity prices now will only add to the burden on the people, and most of them will no longer be able to bear it.)

She added that a thorough review of Meralco’s books and full disclosure of findings will help the public understand and appreciate any rate adjustments.

“Nakakabahala din ang nakikita natin na mga reklamo ng mga residente tungkol sa biglaan pagtaas ng singil ng Meralco na karamihan ay umabot sa doble ang halaga. Kailangan natin ng malinaw at katanggap-tanggap na paliwanag tungkol dito bago pa natin pag-usapan ang anumang taas singil ng Meralco,” Herrera said.

(It is also alarming to see complaints from residents about sudden increases in Meralco’s charges, many of which have doubled. We need a clear and acceptable explanation about this before we even discuss any rate hikes from Meralco.)