ERC head goes on leave
THE CHAIRMAN of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is going on a month-long leave “effectively immediately” to focus on the “inquiries” relating to the issues that arose after the death of one of the agency’s directors.
“I have taken this step in order to focus on helping in the ongoing and planned inquiries regarding issues related to the [ ERC], particularly those allegedly raised by the late Director Francisco Jose “Jun” Villa, Jr. prior to his recent death,” ERC Chairman Jose Vicente B. Salazar said in a statement on Monday.
“I believe that by focusing on this concern, the inquiries can be brought to a speedier and fitting conclusion,” he said.
“This is in the best interest of the ERC. The faster the facts can be brought out in the open, the sooner we can put the matter to rest,” he added.
The move comes after several sectors, including a legislator, called on the ERC chairman to take a leave to give way to the investigation.
On Dec. 2, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, was quoted as saying that his view was for Mr. Salazar to go on leave to give way to the investigation.
“My personal view is to make the investigation faster,” Mr. Gatchalian said, adding that the move should also be out of delicadeza.
“This is also to relieve the pressure from the institution,” he added.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi earlier said he had asked the National Bureau of Investigation to look into allegations raised by the ERC director in his alleged suicide notes. Mr. Villa took his own life on Nov. 9 and left notes claiming corruption in the agency’s bidding and procurement processes.
On Nov. 21, Mr. Salazar said he had asked the Commission on Audit to “immediately probe the allegations” made by Mr. Villa, while expressing his “support and full cooperation” regarding the planned inquiry by the Senate committee on energy. He and other ERC officials had also sought a meeting with President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who at that time was on an official foreign trip.
In his statement yesterday, Mr. Salazar said: “During my leave of absence, Commissioner Geronimo D. Sta. Ana will be the Officerin-Charge of the Office of the Chairman.”
Mr. Duterte on several occasions had asked officials of the ERC to resign. The officials have a fixed term. He also threatened to abolish the commission or withhold its funding.