Palace fears paralysis at ERC after suspension of 4 commissioners

Malacañang is studying its options on how to keep the Energy Regulatory Commission running after the Ombudsman suspended its four commissioners over allegedly anomalous transactions.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque warned that the suspension of commissioners Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Alfredo Non, Josefina Patricia Magpale-Asirit, and Geronimo Sta. Ana could paralyze the ERC.

Roque said the only remaining commissioner, ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera, may not decide ERC matters on her own.

“Pero totoo po magkakaroon po ng parang paralysis diyan, dahil pagdating sa polisiya ay hindi po sila makakagalaw dahil ang sabi ng batas ay kinakailangan na ang ERC ay pagbotohan iyong mga policies na iyan at sila po ay isang collegial body,” Roque said in a radio interview.

“Ibig sabihin po niyan ay hindi po puwedeng isang tao lang ang nagdedesisyon. Bagama’t ginagalang po natin itong desisyon ng Ombudsman at sa tingin ko naman ay tama naman po iyong desisyon na iyan na suspendihin sila ano,” he added.

The Ombudsman has ordered the suspension, without pay of the four commissoners over the alleged anomalous transactions involving power generation companies affiliated with the Manila Electric Co.

Roque said Malacañang, specifically the Office of the Executive Secretary, was already looking into its options. 

“Pinag-aaralan na rin po iyong aspeto ng administratibo kung ano ang pupuwedeng gawin ng Palasyo mismo para hindi po matigil ang operasyon ng ERC,” Roque said. —NB, GMA News