ERC tells Meralco to stop issuing bills showing TRO-frozen rate hike amount

The Energy Regulatory Commission told Meralco Thursday to stop releasing the new electricity bill that indicate the amount the power distribute was unable to collect last December because of the temporary restraining order (TRO) of the Supreme Court.

 

ERC executive director Atty. Francis Juan said the deferred charge included in the “total amount due” and any amount collected involving that deferred charge may be seen as violative of the high court's TRO.

 

Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said only the current charges are collected at Meralco payment outlets. He said the deferred charge was mentioned in the latest electricity bill just to remind customers of the pending case before the SC.

 

Bayan Muna partylist representative Carlos Zarate said they might ask the high court to cite Meralco in contempt for its move to include the deferred charge in the latest billing statements.

 

Zaldarriaga said Meralco will work on a revised billing statement that addresses concerns on the deferred charge.  — RT/ELR, GMA News