ERC chair found guilty of misconduct, sacked from post

Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Jose Vicente Salazar has been dismissed from the service.

This confirmed in a statement issued by the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs on Monday.

The decision was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Friday.

“The Office of the President has found Atty. Jose Vicente B. Salazar administratively liable for two (2) counts of Simple Misconduct and one (1) count of Grave Misconduct," the statement read.

"The dismissal from Grave Misconduct carries with it all accessory penalties, including the perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits,” it added.

Malacañang said that substantial evidence showed that Salazar tried various ways of influencing the process for the procurement of ERC’s audio visual project to ensure that his favored supplier gets the contract.

“It was also undisputed that Attorney Salazar usurped the power of the ERC as a collegial body when he unilaterally issued orders in connection with the application for the renewal of the Electric Power Purchase Agreements between FDC Utilities, Inc. – Misamis and several distribution utilities, and when he appointed certain ERC officials and employees without the imprimatur of the [other] Commissioner,” the statement read.

“Thus, the President’s decision,” it added. —NB, GMA News