Senate probers are poised to open a full-blown inquiry into alleged mismanagement and corruption involving top officials of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) blamed for the November 9 suicide of ERC Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Director Francisco Villa Jr.
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian confirmed that the Senate Energy Committee is set to look into the case but has yet to consult its members to fix the date and finalize the list of ERC officials and other resource persons to be invited for the first panel hearing on the case.
“We will be ready to take the lead in an inquiry regarding the ERC issue,” Gatchalian, committee chairman, said after Senate Minority Leader Ralph G. Recto and other senators aired concerns on the need to find out what is happening at a key regulatory agency that pushed one of its ranking officials to take his own life.
Gatchalian indicated the Senate panel is keen to ascertain if remedial legislations are required to address problems hounding the ERC, amid allegations of “regulatory capture” by influential power industry players ERC is tasked to regulate in implementing the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).
He also affirmed that members of the energy committee are committed to perform their oversight functions to protect public interest, even as President Duterte signaled his intention to overhaul the ERC.
“We must take an objective look at the role of the ERC in the Epira framework in order to craft legislative reforms needed to protect the integrity of the power sector, especially the consumers,” Gatchalian told the BusinessMirror.
The senator acknowledged the serious concerns aired by Duterte in the wake of Villa’s sudden demise, assuring that their upcoming Senate inquiry will pinpoint responsibility and recommend appropriate sanctions, where needed.
“While I understand the President’s indignation, I think it would be prudent to dig deeper first before making any conclusions,” Gatchalian said, adding: “Let’s find the facts, then punish those who must be punished.”
Duterte, declaring there will be no “sacred cows” under his administration, earlier demanded the immediate resignation of current ERC Commissioners Alfredo Non, lawyer Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, lawyer Josefina Patricia Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana.
Duterte made the demand on learning that Villa committed suicide on November 9 complaining about alleged “corruption issues” infesting the regulatory body.
A police report stated Villa was found dead on his bed with a .38 caliber revolver and that suicide notes were also discovered by his sister, broadcast journalist Charie Villa. One of the notes read: “I have fears about my BAC work. Our mistakes may bring on COA [Commission on Audit] observations and disallowances.”