MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has reinstated Monalisa Dimalanta as head of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Malacañang implemented this through a memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary dated October 30, following the Office of the Ombudsman’s October 22 decision lifting her preventive suspension.
Dimalanta returns to office almost two months after the Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered her six-month preventive suspension in September, over alleged grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to public service.
The ERC said in a statement on Thursday, October 31, that according to the Ombudsman, “the ground which justifies the continued imposition of preventive suspension no longer exists. Therefore, the preventive suspension is no longer necessary.”
The ERC welcomed the decision which, it said, “would ensure the stability within the agency and the energy industry as a whole.”
Martires had acted on a 2023 case filed by consumer group National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Incorporated. The group alleged that Dimalanta failed to recalculate Meralco rates “that protect the interests of the public.” The ERC chief, in response, said the Meralco case had been resolved.
Before Dimalanta’s reinstatement, Malacañang appointed Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres as officer-in-charge and chief executive officer of the ERC.
“With Chairperson Dimalanta’s return, the ERC continues its commitment to fulfilling its mandate as the country’s energy regulator,” ERC’s statement read.
During her suspension, Dimalanta garnered support from big business groups who pushed for her return.
At the time, the Makati Business Club said that Dimalanta’s suspension would not only affect investors’ perception but also “the certainty of the Philippine business environment given the critical role of power in business and investments.”
The Management Association of the Philippines had said that Dimalanta’s work in the ERC manifests “a strong sense of objectivity and fairness in the pursuit of the common good.” – Rappler.com