Manila, July 23 -- The Senate on Thursday began reassessing the 25-year-old Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) amid reports that the Philippines now has Southeast Asia's highest electricity rates despite the law's promise of cheaper power through competition.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, said the inquiry would determine whether Republic Act 9136 had delivered its intended benefits or needed to be amended to better protect consumers and improve electricity services.

"Has EPIRA really delivered on its promises? Has it? I don't know. That's what we're going to find out today," Tulfo said during a joint hearing with the committees on public services, ways and means and finance.

Enacted in 2001, EPIRA ...