MANILA, Philippines - Philippine power retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Wednesday it has postponed the imposition of a 22% hike in its basic distribution charge to allow the regulator to hear an opposing petition.

The tariff increase, originally scheduled to take effect this month, was approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission in December, the second price hike secured by the utility firm last year.

Regulators allowed Meralco to raise its tariffs by as much as 27% last May, its first price hike since 2003.

Meralco, which is partly owned by San Miguel Corp. and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Group, said it would suspend implementation of the rate hike until the regulator has resolved all opposing petitions.

The commission has scheduled a public hearing on February 5 for a complaint filed by a consumer.