'Bring CA ruling on power rate hikes to SC'

An official of the House of Representatives called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to elevate to the Supreme Court (SC) a December 2023 Court of Appeals (CA) ruling that could pave the way for higher power rates to the detriment of consumers.

- DELON PORCALLA

Rep. Dan Fernandez, vice chairman of the House committee on energy, also wrote the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) – the designated government counsel in cases brought before the appellate courts – to appeal the case in ERC’s behalf.

“While demand for power supply is acute at this time, we also have the responsibility to protect consumers against price gouging. There are ways to meet the demand that will not unduly and unreasonably raise power rates,” he said.

In a letter received by the OSG on May 2, he asked Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to elevate the case to the high tribunal, as it involved the collection of higher power rates that would further burden consumers already paying one of the world’s highest electricity bills.