Diokno criticizes Senate for postponing probe on high power rates

House Assistant Minority Leader Chel Diokno of Akbayan party-list on Wednesday criticized the Senate for prioritizing the leadership change over the scheduled hearing on high power prices, saying this sidelines public interest.

Diokno was referring to the swift "coup" on Monday, which saw Senator Vicente Sotto III removed as the Senate President and replaced by Senator Alan Peter Cayertano.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also appeared in session for the first time, after being absent since November 2025.

Dela Rosa, who has a standing International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity due to drug war deaths during his tenure as Philippine National Police, was not seen in public after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that the ICC had already issued a warrant of arrest against him.

“Magkakaroon sana ng hearing sa Senado kahapon tungkol sa mataas na singil sa kuryente, kaso inuna ang rigodon. Habang nag-aagawan ng silya, dinedema na naman ang taumbayan,” Diokno said in a statement.

(There was supposed to be Senate hearing on high electricuty rates, but the Senate shakeup took precedence. While they are jockeying for positions, they shut the doors on the concerns of the people.)

The Senate committees on ways and means, energy, and public services were supposed to lead the inquiry on the rising electricity costs.

Diokno said Akbayan has also filed House Resolution 995, which seeks a congressional probe into the high power prices and other charges that distribution utilities pass on to consumers.

The resolution also seeks to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, as well as Energy Regulatory Commission policies, to ensure that the power sector operates on fair and just terms.

Aside from the joint hearing on the power rates, the separate inquiry into the impact of rising oil prices on agricultural and fisheries production was also cancelled.—LDF, GMA News