Dismissal of ERC chief sought over power rate hike

Akbayan Representatives Barry Gutierrez and Walden Bello filed a complaint at the Office of the President seeking the dismissal of ERC chief Zenaida Ducut. PHOTO by Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Akbayan Partylist on Thursday sought the dismissal of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) head Zenaida Ducut for her alleged failure to protect the consumers against the spike in the cost of electricity.

In a complaint filed by Representatives Walden Bello and Barry Gutierrez with the Office of the President, they said Ducut’s leadership disregarded the consumers when, on Dec. 9, 2013, ERC approved Manila Electric Company (Meralco’s) request to increase the generation charge to be passed on to consumers.

Knowing the impact of such increase, the lawmakers said, the ERC should have inquired on the basis of the increase as well as the abnormally expensive price of energy in the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM).

“Despite the aforementioned red flag which should have alerted a prudent regulator, the respondent (Ducut) went ahead and allowed Meralco to pass on the increased generation charge (albeit, staggered over a number of months) to its consumers, without even barest hint of a hearing or notice to the public,” the lawmakers said in their complaint, adding that there is clear neglect of duty on the part of Ducut..

Under Section 46 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Services, such gross neglect of duty is punishable by dismissal from service.

The complaint was filed at the Office of the President because Ducut is a Presidential appointee.

“The President has the power to remove Ducut. Presidential appointees with the exception of those appointed in constitutional bodies come under the direct disciplining authority of the President,” Gutierrez said.

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