Solon seeks end to abuses of power firms on systems loss

To protect harassed consumers, Manila Rep. Nestor Ponce Jr. incorporated in the recently-approved omnibus power bill a provision to stop electric companies from the current practice of loading losses from electricity theft or pilferage on consumers' bills.

Ponce, supported by Reps. Allan Cayetano, Roy Padilla, Dante Liban and Joey Hizon, pushed for a provision that "no additional charge shall be imposed on the end-user consumer for losses due to theft or pilferage not attributed to them."

The Tondo solon argued that the current practice of charging all consumers for losses due to theft or pilferage is unconstitutional as they are penalized without due process for offense committed by others.

"It is grossly unfair and unjust to penalize somebody for the wrongdoing of another," Ponce stressed.

He lamented that because electric companies recover their losses from the general public, they have become complacent in detecting and apprehending those who steal electricity.

In cases where they succeed in apprehending and making the wrongdoer pay back what he has stolen, these companies collect twice, from the wrongdoer and the general public.

"Moreover, consumers are at the mercy of these companies as they have no way of checking or verifying total losses claimed, so everything practically depends on what the electric company wants to charge as losses due to theft," he added.

Ponce also claimed that losses due to theft or pilferage should not be lumped under 'systems loss' as they are the result of deliberate criminal acts of individuals, the consequences of which should be borne by the wrongdoer and not by the public.