MALACAÑANG on Wednesday placed Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar under a 90-day preventive suspension following reports of rampant corruption in the agency.
Salazar, who was among the officials asked earlier to resign by President Rodrigo Duterte, will be investigated amid allegations of graft and price fixing following the death of ERC Bids and Awards Committee chairman Francisco Villa on Nov. 9.
“Examination of the records showed that there is a prima facie case against Chairman Salazar on the above stated charges. Moreover, this Office has personal knowledge of Chairman Salazar’s act of unilaterally designating an OIC to perform the functions of his post during his absence despite the earlier designation made by this office,” the order by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, issued May 2, 2017 read.
Medialdea said that the “foregoing charges against Chairman Salazar are punishable with removal from service.”
The administrative charges to be filed against Salazar include: Serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct on violation of RA 3019 (Anti Graft And Corrupt Practices Act) for the renewal of seven Electric Power Purchase Agreements (EPPA) between FDC Utilities and various distribution utilities; and grave misconduct and gross insubordination for defiance of the Office of the Executive Secretary’s designation of ERC Commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana.
Villa’s sister, broadcaster Rosario Sofia “Charie” Villa said that her brother was allegedly pressured by Salazar to approve procurement contracts and hiring consultants and other bidding procedures. Francisco Villa later killed himself.