Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Thursday flagged unpaid electricity bills of some local politicians, warning that ordinary consumers may ultimately shoulder the cost through nontechnical system losses.

During a Senate Committee on Energy hearing on system losses, Tulfo said some mayors, governors and other politicians have failed to settle their electricity bills, placing an additional burden on consumers.

“What in the world is that?… Dahil si mayor, si governor hindi nagbabayad, so pasan-pasan ng tao, 'yun po 'yung masakit eh” Tulfo said.

He said unpaid electricity bills are considered nontechnical system losses, which are eventually passed on to electricity consumers.

Tulfo acknowledged that the percentage involved may be small, but said the issue goes beyond the amount being charged.

“It doesn't matter if it's 1%, 2%. Pero yung prinsipyo po ng ordinaryo mamamayan, na magbabayad siya, na hindi naman niya kasalanan. Yun po yung masakit,” he said.

Tulfo also questioned the ownership and management of electric cooperatives, saying some are controlled by local politicians.

“This is reality, yung mga electric cooperatives natin, owned by politicians,” Tulfo said, suggesting that lawmakers should consider legislation to remove political control over electric cooperatives.

National Electrification Administration Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda acknowledged that the agency had previously dealt with politicians who failed to pay their electricity bills.

Almeda said that when he assumed office, a significant part of his time was spent helping electric cooperatives deal with politicians who had unpaid accounts.

He said the NEA has since intervened directly in such cases and warned officials that continued nonpayment could threaten the viability of electric cooperatives.

Almeda said the situation has improved, with only a few, if any, similar cases remaining.

He added that he had ordered electric cooperatives to disconnect the power of politicians who again failed to pay their bills.

“May mga politiko yung pinutulan namin,” Almeda said, adding that some later contacted him about the disconnection.

Almeda said the episodes involving politicians with unpaid electricity bills have since decreased.

Tulfo said consumers should not be made to pay for electricity losses that they did not cause, regardless of how small the additional charge may be.

“The Filipino people are tired. Bakit mo kami sisingilin sa hindi namin nagamit, hindi namin kasalanan?” he said.