President Duterte Fires ERC Chairman, CEO For Corruption

President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Energy Regular Commission (ERC) chairman and chief executive officer Jose Vicente Salazar after charges of corruption and misconduct were proved against him, Malacañang officials said Monday, October 9.

In a decision dated October 6, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Salazar was found administratively liable for two counts of simple misconduct and one count of grave misconduct.

Medialdea, by authority of the President, ordered Salazar’s dismissal because the ERC chair’s alleged violations carried all accessory penalties, including the perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

On August 2, Malacañang ordered Salazar’s preventive suspension for four months without pay because of insubordination.

Prior to this, a document signed by Medialdea on May 2 revealed that Salazar is facing “serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and grave misconduct,” on account of violation of Anti-Graft Practices Act and Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Ryan Alvin Acosta, in a separate statement, said there was “substantial evidence” that Salazar attempted many times to influence the process for the procurement of ERC’s audio-visual project to ensure that his favored supplier gets the contract.

Acosta said Salazar likewise “usurped the power of the ERC as a collegial body” when he unilaterally issued orders for the renewal of seven Electric Power Purchase Agreements between FDC Utilities Inc. – Misamis and several distribution utilities.

He added that it was “undisputed” that he illegally appointed several ERC officers and personnel without the concurrence and approval of the commission’s Commissioners en banc.

“In line with the President’s promise to render the nation the nation corruption free, he has dismissed from service the chairman and chief executive officer of the Energy Regulatory Commission who is a presidential appointee,” Acosta said.

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Source: SunStar Philippines