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Advocates Philippines
Garin: Electricity Charges Are Legal, Congress Must Act On Changes
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Energy Secretary Sharon Garin addressed public concerns over charges appearing in electricity bills, saying these are based on existing laws and any changes would need to go through Congress.
Garin explained that the questioned charges are already provided for under legislation and are not simply imposed by utilities or energy agencies.
“I think ‘yung point nila is bakit pinasalo sa taong bayan na without permission? Na oo, pwedeng tumulong, pero bakit parang pinipwersa? Kumbaga, wala nang choice, nandoon na siya sa bill mo, babayaran mo na lang. I think ‘yun ‘yung point, ‘di ba? Wala namang nag-konsulta sa kanila nung plinano niyo ‘yan, bakit biglang nandoon na lang siya?”
In response, she pointed to the legal basis of the charges.
“I think na nasa batas kasi, Alben.”
When asked further, she added that these were established through legislation and legislative processes.
She also noted that laws passed by Congress typically undergo consultations before implementation.
“So I’m sure when Congress passed this law, there were extensive consultations that were done.”
The discussion then turned to where changes should be made if the public or lawmakers want revisions.
“So kumbaga kung gusto mong palitan, Sec., hindi dapat sa DOE, hindi sa ERC, hindi sa Meralco, kung hindi sa legislature. Is that what you’re saying?”
Garin’s position suggests that adjustments to electricity bill components would need to be addressed through Congress, rather than through the Department of Energy or regulators such as the Energy Regulatory Commission or utilities like the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
The clarification comes amid ongoing public debate over pass-through charges included in monthly electricity bills.
Garin explained that the questioned charges are already provided for under legislation and are not simply imposed by utilities or energy agencies.
“I think ‘yung point nila is bakit pinasalo sa taong bayan na without permission? Na oo, pwedeng tumulong, pero bakit parang pinipwersa? Kumbaga, wala nang choice, nandoon na siya sa bill mo, babayaran mo na lang. I think ‘yun ‘yung point, ‘di ba? Wala namang nag-konsulta sa kanila nung plinano niyo ‘yan, bakit biglang nandoon na lang siya?”
In response, she pointed to the legal basis of the charges.
“I think na nasa batas kasi, Alben.”
When asked further, she added that these were established through legislation and legislative processes.
She also noted that laws passed by Congress typically undergo consultations before implementation.
“So I’m sure when Congress passed this law, there were extensive consultations that were done.”
The discussion then turned to where changes should be made if the public or lawmakers want revisions.
“So kumbaga kung gusto mong palitan, Sec., hindi dapat sa DOE, hindi sa ERC, hindi sa Meralco, kung hindi sa legislature. Is that what you’re saying?”
Garin’s position suggests that adjustments to electricity bill components would need to be addressed through Congress, rather than through the Department of Energy or regulators such as the Energy Regulatory Commission or utilities like the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
The clarification comes amid ongoing public debate over pass-through charges included in monthly electricity bills.
Apr 27, 2026
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