Irish vlogger calls PH electricity the most expensive he’s ever paid for

Public frustration over electricity costs continues to grow.

An Irish vlogger’s complaint about his Meralco bill is making the rounds again, with his claim that the Philippines is “the most expensive country I’ve ever paid for electricity in” striking a chord with many Filipinos.

Tom, one half of the vlog couple “Tom & Lay,” shared his frustration in a Facebook video posted in May, which is now making the rounds again, over what he called an “outrageous” bill for a month’s stay in a single-bedroom condominium in Bonifacio Global City.

In the video, he questioned the basis of the charges, pointing out that their electricity had even been cut off for several hours during their stay, making it difficult for him to understand how the bill had become so high.

He also acknowledged that Filipinos face the same burden, with many struggling to make ends meet only to be met with steep charges at the end of the month.

“You guys are charging this much a month just for electricity? The most expensive country I’ve ever paid for electricity in,” he said. “Basically robbing the people, this is daylight robbery.”

The video quickly drew replies from viewers, many echoing his frustration. One user compared their electricity costs in the Philippines to those in the United States: “It’s ridiculous, how expensive electricity is in the Philippines. Just paid ₱30,000 last month for my four-bedroom house in La Union, and my bill in the US last month was only $150 (₱9,900) for a 3,200-square-foot home with AC running all the time.”

Others tried to explain the higher bill based on their own experience. “Looks like you are in a condo. They tend to have commercial rates rather than residential. Sometimes 10 times higher.”

Some also offered practical advice: “Turn off your bloody AC unit. Don’t let it run 24/7. Try turning off a light every once in a while.” Another user added: “Our bill is half what your bill is. So learn to use your electricity properly. You want to leave things on all the time, then get used to paying for it.”

The renewed attention comes as public frustration over electricity costs continues to grow. Just days earlier, Peter Morantte’s satirical post went viral after he asked Meralco if it could leave customers enough money to buy food, a remark that resonated with many Filipinos.

The public sentiment also reflects recent data. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) logged multiple consumer cases against Meralco in 2025, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction.

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