The energy sector welcomed the appointment of three commissioners to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) by Malacañang, commending President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s swift action to prevent further regulatory delays.
Francis Saturnino Juan will chair the commission, succeeding Monalisa Dimalanta, who resigned effective Aug. 8, 2025. Amante Liberato and Paris Real were also appointed as commissioners. All three appointees are lawyers.
The Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (PIPPA), a professional organization representing independent power producers, welcomed Juan, a former president of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines.
“We are confident that chair Nino Juan will continue to pave the way for energy modernization, promoting regulation that is best for all sectors to ensure energy security, reliability, and efficiency,” PIPPA said in a statement. “PIPPA looks forward to a dynamic ERC in the coming years of their service.”
The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), an association of solar industry stakeholders, also lauded Marcos Jr.’s quick decision.
“This ensures minimum disruption on the critical work pending before the Commission,” PSSEA chair and founder Tetchi Capellan said.
“The industry welcomes Atty Juan and celebrates his return to the Commission. He is a qualified replacement who has broad knowledge and deep understanding of the job,” she said.
Capellan noted Juan’s past performance at the ERC, noting his “resolve amidst bureaucratic challenges” and his “good judgement and compassion ensuring consumer protection and fair return to power producers.”
Emmanuel Rubio, president of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), said Juan’s “deep regulatory expertise and extensive experience are valuable assets in strengthening regulatory frameworks, ensuring market transparency, and advancing consumer protection.”
“His appointment comes at a critical time, as the industry continues to navigate the demands of the energy transition while safeguarding affordability and reliability,” Rubio said. “We look forward to working closely with Atty. Juan and the ERC in supporting policies that foster innovation, encourage responsible investments, and build a resilient and sustainable power sector for the Philippines.”
The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (PHILRECA) said the new appointments signal a “new chapter” for the country’s energy regulatory body.
Janeene Depay-Colingan, PHILRECA executive director and general manager, said Juan possesses “invaluable institutional knowledge of the power industry’s complexities.”
“Coupled with the robust legal and administrative backgrounds of Commissioners Liberato and Real, we are confident that this new leadership will bring renewed vigor, expertise, and a balanced perspective to the Commission’s vital role,” Colingan said.
PHILRECA urged the new ERC leadership to prioritize several critical areas for the stability and growth of electric cooperatives and consumer welfare. The association called for accelerated resolution of pending over and under recoveries, citing their “detrimental effects to the financial and operational sustainability of electric cooperatives.”
PHILRECA also appealed for the swift approval of pending applications, particularly those concerning capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, power supply agreements (PSAs) and competitive selection process (CSP) outcomes.
“These approvals are fundamental for ECs to undertake critical system upgrades, secure stable and affordable power supply, expand electrification, and enhance the overall reliability and efficiency of their services,” Colingan said. “Delays in these approvals directly impede our ability to serve our member-consumer-owners effectively.”
The group asked the ERC to hold in abeyance ERC Resolution No. 13, Series of 2024, which pertains to the “Omnibus Rules for Customer Choice Programs in the Retail Market.” PHILRECA argued that while the resolution aligns with the objectives of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), it requires “thorough reconsideration” due to its immediate impact on electric cooperatives’ operations and service quality.
“We affirm that the sudden reduction of connected load due to the implementation of this resolution could severely impair the financial viability of electric cooperatives, due to the fact that, revenues decrease while regulatory obligations and maintenance costs remain unchanged,” Colingan said. “We recommend that this subject be subject to further study and consultation with electric cooperatives and other affected stakeholders.”
