Malacañang to implement suspension of 4 ERC commissioners

Malacañang will carry out the suspension of four commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) after they reportedly remained in their posts despite an order from the Office of the Ombudsman.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Office of the President would implement the suspension order on Friday.

“[We have] got confirmation, [the] Office of the President will execute [the] suspension tomorrow,” Roque said on Thursday.

The Ombudsman earlier suspended ERC Commissioners Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Josefina Patricia Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana for three months for neglect of duty.

In a complaint, the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. alleged that the commissioners of tolerated the misuse of bill deposits by the Manila Electric Company.

Rolando Faller, the lawyer for the ERC commissioners, said his clients remained in their posts since there was no directive yet from the Office of the President. — JULIE M. AURELIO