Suspended Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta lamented Thursday the ongoing leadership vacuum at the power industry regulator as this could delay decisions of power supply deals of over a dozen electric cooperatives.
During the Kamuning Bakery news forum, Dimalanta said that she has already filed a motion for reconsideration with the Office of the Ombudsman concerning her six-month preventive suspension.
“Naghihintay po tayo ng aksyon from the Ombudsman on the motion for reconsideration… [I’m] expecting developments on Monday or Tuesday,” Dimalanta said.
Over two weeks since the suspension order was served, however, there is still no designated officer-in-charge or chairman that would temporarily lead the ERC.
With this, Dimalanta said the lack of leadership in the regulatory body is adversely affecting the operations of the ERC.
“Ang nagpapatawag kasi ng meeting ng komisyon ay ‘yung chairman. At hindi nakakapagawa ng desisyon ang komisyon kung hindi sila nauupo at nagmi-meeting at nag-uusap,” she said.
“So ibig sabihin, itong mga nakasampung araw na, since the suspension was enforced, ibig sabihin, hindi nakakapag-meeting, hindi nakakapag-desisyon ‘yung komisyon,” she added.
Dimalanta said that with her suspension, the ERC cannot act on pending power supply agreements of 23 electric cooperatives that the body needs to approve.
“Ibig sabihin, hanggang naka-stall or stalled ‘yung action ng komisyon, walang magiging power supply agreement ang mga ito,” she said.
“Ibig sabihin, aasa sa WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) kukuha ng supply itong mga 23 electric cooperatives na ito,” she said.
The suspended ERC chief said the issue could be resolved “either by action on the motion for reconsideration that I have filed to lift suspension or makapag-appoint na po nung OIC para gumalaw na po ‘yung commission.”
Dimalanta’s suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore), which alleged that the ERC failed to recalculate Meralco’s distribution rate.
The suspended ERC chief said in her motion filed with the Ombudsman, she questioned why she was the only one charged
“I brought up that we are a collegial body… hindi kaya na only the chair ang kikilos sa mga pending na hindi naaksyunan,” Dimalanta said.
Dimalanta was appointed chairman of the ERC by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022, her term is expiring in July 2029.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
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