MANILA — Consumer group NASECORE is asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to overhaul the Energy Regulatory Commission and order an audit of Meralco.

Nasecore President Pete Ilagan said he has sent 3 letters to Malacañang to petition the audit of Meralco. In his latest letter, Ilagan used the issue of PrimeWater to request the President to act on the issues he raised against Meralco.

"As we stated in our previous letters, MERALCO's electricity rates have steadily increased despite the promise of "least-cost power" under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). The Philippines now has the highest residential power rates in Southeast Asia, an injustice borne most heavily by ordinary Filipino families," said Ilagan.

Marcos has ordered a probe on complaints against the service of PrimeWater, a company owned by the Villar family.

"Your decisive action affirms your administration's commitment to holding private utility concessionaires accountable and addressing consumer grievances," says a part of Nasecore's letter to Marcos.

Solons eye probe into deal between Villars' PrimeWater and San Jose Del Monte local water district

The group said if the President took action on the water issue, their request to probe Meralco also bears national significance.

Meralco, for its part said, it would respond to concerns in the proper forum but it has yet to receive a copy of the letter. ABS-CBN has reached out to Malacañang but it has yet to issue a statement.

Meralco sees reduction in May billing

FUEL PRICE

Meanwhile, another price rollback is possible next week as prices of imported fuel in the world market remain lower than last week's.

As of Wednesday after 3 trading days, diesel, gasoline and kerosene prices are still down, indicating the following possible price adjustments:

Diesel        P1.32/L  rollback

Gasoline    P0.79/L rollback 

Kerosene   P1.32/L rollback

Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas said the drop was bigger last Monday but prices rallied Tuesday and Wednesday. 

May opens with fuel price rollback

When asked if prices will continue to rise in the last 2 trading days, Bellas said he remains confident that there will still be another rollback next week. He sees a bigger price slash for diesel though gasoline prices are also likely going to go down a bit too.