THE Palace on Thursday confirmed suspending Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Jose Vicente Salazar for another four months without pay after he was found guilty of insubordination.
“The Office of the Executive Secretary in his decision dated August 2, 2017 finds Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson and CEO Jose Vicente B. Salazar guilty of insubordination,” Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Paz Banaag told reporters.
“Mr. Salazar is meted out the penalty of suspension for a period of four months without pay.”
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday ordered Salazar suspended for four months without pay, which was separate from the earlier 90-day preventive suspension imposed on him on May 2.
The latest suspension is also on top of the administrative charges filed against him and for which he is still being investigated.
The insubordination case against Salazar came after he named lawyer Ronaldo Gomez as the signing authority and chief executive in his place while he was on leave, and despite Malacañang’s order assigning Commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana to serve as officer in charge during his absence.
“This is the insubordination part. This is the penalty because the Office of the President has jurisdiction over chair Salazar and for his disobedience,” Banaag said.
The corruption allegations hounding the ERC started after one of its commissioners, the late Francisco Villa Jr., took his own life in November 2016 after allegedly being pressured to approve procurement contracts and hiring consultants without bidding.
