Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla expressed hope for early resolution of the suspension case against Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta to avoid further regulatory delays.
Dimalanta is on a six-month preventive suspension meted by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“The concern of course is there. As you know, we have worked hard with chairman Mona Dimalanta to introduce changes that would facilitate the approvals of projects,” Lotilla said.
The suspension might delay the Green Energy Auction Program scheduled late this year as the ERC issues the GEA prices prior to the auction.
“I’m hopeful that this can be addressed and resolved so that we’ll be able to continue to move forward,” Lotilla said.
“We look forward to this being resolved so that we can resume working on especially on the new projects that the President has envisioned for the country. So, whether they’re conventional or renewable or new forms or new sources of energy, we need the Energy Regulatory Commission on board. And right now, we are facing a number of decisions that have to be made by the Energy Regulatory Commission,” Lotilla said.
Dimalanta said she filed on Wednesday a motion for reconsideration of the preventive suspension order.
“Under the rules, I understand that this will be resolved within five days from filing, so I am hoping that we get a favorable resolution by Monday,” Dimalanta said.
Several business groups and energy stakeholders expressed support for Dimalanta who said she would “fight this out.”
“I am hoping the men and women of ERC who are driven by true dedication to public service will continue our mission. We cannot deny that this situation affects the commission – I’d like to believe this can still be a turning point, instead of a setback: a wake-up call to true public servants in the agency to step up and guard their integrity, and a call to the public as well to put a close watch on the next actions of the commission,” Dimalanta said.
The Ombudsman’s decision arose from a complaint filed against Dimalanta by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore).
Ombudsman Samuel Martires, in an order dated Aug. 27, tasked Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin with implementing the ERC chair’s suspension.
The Ombudsman said Dimalanta allowed Manila Electric Co. to purchase electricity from the wholesale electricity spot market and pass the charges on to consumers without obtaining the necessary approval from the ERC in violation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
