Palace asks 5 ERC execs to explain trips abroad

For allegedly going on “extravagant” trips abroad, Malacañang has asked five commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to explain their expenditures from 2009 to 2015.

According to Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, the Office of the Executive Secretary has taken the lead in the investigation of ERC commissioners Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Josefina Patricia Magpale-Asirit, Geronimo Sta. Ana and director Debora Anastacia Layugan.

The commissioners are being asked to answer allegations of serious “dishonesty, gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service” in relation to their travels between 2009 and 2015 to Germany, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Australia and Singapore.

In a letter dated Aug. 18, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Ryan Alvin Acosta directed the five ERC officials to respond to the accusations hurled against them by Rodolfo Javellana Jr., president of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters.

Acosta noted extravagant trips were a violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“It is alleged that you are receiving money and benefits from private entities regulated by the ERC to fund your extravagant travels abroad,” Acosta said in the letter.

The five officials were given 10 days from receipt of the letter to respond to the allegations, Acosta said.

The ERC officials’ travels were said to be financed by the Philippine Electricity Market Corp., which governs the wholesale electricity spot market, the centralized venue for trading electricity as a commodity.