ERC chief goes on leave amid corruption scandal

Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar filed on Monday a one-month leave, supposedly to hasten the ongoing and planned inquiries into alleged corruption plaguing the commission.
 
In a statement, Salazar said he decided to temporarily leave the ERC "effective immediately" in the aftermath of the suicide of Director Francisco Villa Jr.
 
"I have taken this step in order to focus on helping in the ongoing and planned inquiries regarding issues related to the Energy Regulatory Commission, particularly those allegedly raised by the late Director Francisco Jose 'Jun' Villa Jr. prior to his recent death," the ERC chief noted.
 
Villa's suicide note supposedly included detailed allegations of corruption within the commission.
 
Villa’s sister, journalist Charie Villa, said her brother was pressured to approve ERC procurement contracts and hiring consultants without proper bidding and procedure.
 
Salazar said he hopes his leave would hasten the presentation of facts and put the allegations of corruption in the ERC to rest.
 
"I believe that by focusing on this concern, the inquiries can be brought to a speedier and fitting conclusion. This is in the best interest of the ERC," Salazar said.
 
"The faster the facts can be brought out in the open, the sooner we can put the matter to rest," he added.
 
All ERC commissioners refused to heed the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to resign from their respective posts, prompting the President to say he would abolish the commission.

Instead, the ERC commissioners urged for an investigation of alleged corruption within their ranks.

The House of Representatives and the Senate eyed separate investigations to shed light into Villa's suicide.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also asked the House energy committee to study the possibility of abolishing the ERC or if amendments would have to be made to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi vowed to ferret out the truth behind the allegations of corruption at the ERC.

Salazar has designated Commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana as the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Chairman during the course of his leave. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/VS, GMA News