Energy Regulatory Commission Jose Vicente Salazar is waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte to return from Peru to seek out a meeting with him. ERC/Released
MANILA, Philippines — Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman and CEO Jose Vicente Salazar will seek a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte following the latter’s demand for all ERC officials to step down from office.
The president warned that he will ask Congress to abolish the ERC, which was created by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, if its officials refuse to resign following the suicide of one of their colleagues.
READ: Duterte demands resignation of ERC execs
Last week, ERC bids and awards chairman Francisco Jose Villa Jr. took his own life after being allegedly pressured by Salazar into rigging bids.
Salazar said that he is waiting for Duterte’s return from Peru to meet with him and update him on the current developments at the ERC.
“I am confident that the proposed meeting with and briefing for the president would result in clearer directions from him regarding the issues facing the ERC,” Salazar said in a statement.
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The ERC chairman also assured Duterte that he respects his recent statement and vowed to take appropriate actions to protect the organization.
“Part of this is our request to the Commission on Audit to immediately probe the allegations made by the late Director Jun Villa and our expression of support and full cooperation for the planned inquiry by the Senate Committee on Energy,” Salazar said.
The Department of Energy and the Senate panel are eyeing to open an investigation into the corruption allegations against ERC officials.
