Solon seeks removal of ERC chief over power rate hike

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Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello. Photo from congress.gov.ph

ANILA, Philippines – Akbayan Representative Walden Bello said he would file a complaint with the Office of the President calling for the removal of Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson (ERC) Zenaida Ducut for her gross neglect of duty and incompetence to investigate the power rate increase.

During Thursday’s hearing by the energy committee at the House of Representatives, Bello scolded Ducut for failing to present a thorough report.

Appearing for the first time at the House inquiry, Ducut got an earful from lawmakers who criticized the seven-page “non-report” for only containing one page of the preliminary findings.

The report cited short supply, power outages, and non-offering of bids by power players as factors that necessitated the increase.
“The ERC chair is under the authority of the Office of the President who has the authority to fire this person,” Bello pointedly told Ducut.

Ducut apologized for the report, adding that she would rather submit a short than an incomplete one.

The ERC approved the Manila Electric Co.’s petition for a power rate increase that was later stopped y the Supreme Court due to public outcry.

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