Hontiveros wants 'disconnection freeze' for Meralco customers disputing bills

Consumers who are disputing their power bills with Meralco should not lose electricity while their cases are under investigation, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Friday.

In a press statement, Hontiveros called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to impose a "no disconnection" policy for Meralco consumers who are contesting their unusually high electricity bills due to alleged erroneous meter readings.

“Consumers who were erroneously charged should not be forced to pay disputed charges just to keep their lights on. Hindi nila kasalanan na mali ang meter reading. Hindi konsyumers ang dapat mag-adjust (The erroneous meter reading is not their fault. The consumers should not be forced to adjust because of it),” said Hontiveros.

According to the lawmaker, complaints over alleged high electricity bills due to incorrect meter readings were mounting, with one household allegedly billed for electricity consumption even though its circuit breakers were switched off while the family was away on vacation.

The ERC, however, advised Meralco consumers to still pay their bills to avoid disconnection while their complaints are being investigated.

“Kung lehitimo ang dispute sa bill, hindi makatarungan na pilitin silang magbayad muna. Pwede pa sana nilang magamit ang pera sa iba pang pangangailangan sa buwan na iyan,” said Hontiveros.

(If their complaint is legitimate, then it would not be just if they will be forced to pay. They can use the money for their other needs.)

“ERC should do something about this. Mandato nila na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga consumers. Dapat tiyakin nila na may mabilis, patas, at epektibong proseso sa pagresolba ng billing disputes, at hindi nalalagay sa alanganin ang mga konsyumer,” she said.

(ERC should do something about this. It is their mandate to take care of their consumers and ensure there will be swift, just, and effective process to resolve the bill dispute.)

In a statement, Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications, clarified that their customers with pending billing concerns are not required to pay the disputed amount while their cases are under review, nor will their electric service be disconnected during the investigation.

He further said that they suspended disconnection activities for all their customers with unpaid bills covering the May to July 2026 billing periods pursuant to a directive of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

"We would like to reiterate that we continuously address the concerns of all customers regarding their electricity bills, consumption, or meter reading through our official customer touch points," Zaldarriaga said.

"Rest assured that we have been diligently reviewing and resolving every customer concern brought to our attention," he added.

GMA News Online also reached out to the ERC for its comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros said she will file a resolution directing the Senate energy committee to conduct an investigation into the reported cases of erroneous meter readings and billing disputes. —with Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA News