The National Power Board chaired by the Department of Finance, designated Atty. Melchor Paz Ridulme as officer-in-charge of the National Power Corp. The designation came after the early demise of president and chief executive Pio Benavidez.
Ridulme, vice president and legal counsel, will be the OIC until a new chief executive is nominated by the President and formally elected by the National Power Board in accordance with the existing rules and regulations, and other administrative requirements.
As the officer-in-charge, Ridulme is authorized to act on and approve urgent matters concerning the operations of Napocor.
These include but are not limited to the following: sign contracts relating to procurement of goods and services, approve disbursements of the corporation’s legitimate financial transactions, release funds and approve payroll of employees and personnel, issue office orders and memoranda and sign promotional appointments of employees.
Ridulme has been the youngest vice president of Napocor and has held his current position for the past ten years. He is also the country coordinator of the Philippines for the heads of ASEAN Power Utilities and Authorities.
He is the chair of Napocor’s Committee on Anti-Red Tape and Investigative Committee pertaining to the corporation’s whistleblowing policy.
He obtained his degree in Political Science-Economics from the University of the Philippines and completed his law studies at San Beda College.
