Duterte orders probe of ERC exec’s death—Andanar

Francisco Jose Villa Jr. (Photo courtesy of Charie Villa)

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an immediate investigation into the death of the Energy Regulation Commission’s (ERC) bidding chair, who was forced to take his own life allegedly due to pressure from his boss, ERC chair and chief executive officer Jose Vicente B. Salazar.

This was confirmed by Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday.

READ: Duterte urged to look into death of ERC director Villa

“PRRD has ordered the immediate investigation of the ERC,” Andanar said, when asked about suicide of Director Francisco Jose Villa Jr. and alleged corruption in the energy body.

Andanar said “there will be no sacred cows” in the investigation.

Villa took his own life last Nov. 9 due to pressure from Salazar, who wanted him to rig the biddings in favor of preferred companies. Villa’s sister, broadcast journalist Charie said, “Jun was pressured to approve contracts for procurements and hiring consultants without proper bidding and procedure as bids and awards committee chairman.”

READ: ERC official killed self over rampant office corruption – sister

In a series of suicide notes, the 54-year-old Villa wrote: “My greatest fear in the bids and awards committee is the AVP by Luis Morelos which the chairman and CEO, Jose Vicente B. Salazar, chose through a rigged selection system. That will be a criminal act.” RAM/rga