Section 11Sec./Art. 11

Section 21 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Section 21.

In the absences of any specific fine or penalty imposed under the Charter of the Administrative Agency or the special law governing the particular public service, any public service violating or failing to comply with the terms and conditions of any certificate or any order, decision or regulation of the Commission shall be subject to a fine of not lower than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not exceeding Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) per day for every day during which such default or violation continues; and the Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to impose such fine, after due notice and hearing:Provided,That should a lesser fine or penalty be imposed under the Charter of the Administrative Agency or the special law governing the public service, the amount of fine or penalty provided for under this section shall apply.

"In cases where rates collected by the public service exceed the rates authorized by the Administrative Agency, the Administrative Agency may order a refund to consumers in lieu of or in addition to the fine or penalty imposed under this Act or the special law governing the public service.

"The fines so imposed shall be paid to the Government of the Philippine through the Commission, and failure to pay the fine or comply with the order to refund in any case within the time specified in the order or decision of the Commission shall be deemed good and sufficient reason for the suspension of the certificate of said public service until payment shall be made or the order is complied with. Payment may also be enforced by appropriate action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction. The remedy provided in this section shall not be a bar to, or affect any other remedy provided in this Act but shall be cumulative and additional to such remedy or remedies."