MANILA, July 29 -- Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Senator JV Ejercito have filed complementary measures seeking to remove system-loss charges and value-added tax (VAT) from electricity bills, translating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) directive into proposed consumer relief.

Gatchalian announced on Wednesday that he filed Senate Bill No. 2350, or the proposed System Loss Charge Abolition Act, which would stop distribution utilities from charging customers for electricity lost before reaching their homes and businesses.

"Filipino families should not be forced to pay for electricity they never used," Gatchalian said.

He said system loss typically accounts for 5 percent to 6 percent o...