Madam Chairperson and Members of the Energy Regulatory Commission .
I quote hereunder the Laban Konsyumer Inc. official statement on the subject matter , and quote:
“AUGUST 27, 2020
Statement of Laban Konsyumer Inc. on the ERC decision against Meralco .
It is on record that Labankonsyumer had issued statement in Congress that the bill shock complaints were due to an ambiguous ERC advisories.
It is also a matter of record that the complaints on bill shocks came from the consumers and that the investigations were done by Congress and the Senate, and belatedly by ERC.
It is also a matter of record that ERC reported more than 50 000 complaints on bill shocks in the Senate hearing.
Meralco may comply or dispute the decision .
In the event Meralco complies, we propose that the 19 million fines goes to the 50 K consumers pro rata who were prejudiced and suffered anxiety as fair compensation .
No amount should be remitted to ERC because we believe the ERC advisories were the root cause of the confusion on the matter of estimated billing .” END OF QUOTE
In addition, the Chairperson replied when allowed by Cong Lord Allan Velasco that the ERC will review their guidelines on the computation of estimated billing in the Congress hearing , which decade old guidelines need to be updated because the pandemic situation is totally different , in answer to the claim of ambiguity of ERC advisories by Laban Konsyumer.
Also the complaints on estimated billing came from the pro active consumers themselves thru social media and other platforms. ERC did not perform any moto propio investigation on its own except it issued a Show Cause Order against Meralco after the fact when complaints had mounted in the media .
The 50 000 complaints came from the Chairperson in the Senate hearing.
Be that as it may , that the ERC had issued the subject decision, and whatever the direction the case will move forward, it is our civic and social justice and duty that the consumers who raised the complaints on the bill shocks be the beneficiaries of any fines by way of fair compensation and remedial redress for the anxiety, inconvenience , big trouble and harm suffered by them.
We reiterate that the ERC should decide ” outside the box” in pursuit of consumer welfare.
We appreciate favorable action on this matter. Thank you .
Due to limited mobility imposed , I affirm the authenticity of this email.
Please acknowledge receipt.
Laban Konsyumer Inc.
Atty. Victorio Mario Dimagiba
President Laban Konsyumer Inc.