Published
By Myrna M. Velasco
Two high-level posts
will be on vacancy by July at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and this
early, 10 lawyers are on the queue to fill in, according to ERC Chairperson
Agnes T. Devanadera.
She told reporters in
jest that on her knowledge, “there are 10 lawyers” lining up for the posts to
be freed when Commissioners Alfredo J. Non and Gloria Victoria C. Yap-Taruc
will bow out of office on July 10.
When asked about the
two lawyers being eyed for the post, Devanadera quipped “why two, what I know
is there are 10 of them,” while also narrating that “there are a lot of people
approaching me for it, but I said appointments to the posts will be of the
President’s discretion.”
Devanadera acknowledged
that the retirement of the two Commissioners will stir up new round of
uncertainties at the ERC – given also the learning curve that the new
Commissioners will have to go through before the regulatory body can get back
to its normal functioning again.
“In everything, there
will be uncertainties, it’s just a matter of believing. We started with so much
uncertainty, but the people who were there when the Commission was in trouble
are the same people we have now as we get back into shape. So what we are
trying to build is an institution that won’t just break up in times of
uncertainties,” the ERC chief stressed.
On the ERC posting, the
industry is now abuzz with the prospective appointment of Davao-based lawyer
Alexis Lumbatan as replacement of one of the retiring Commissioners; while
another lawyer Gary de Jesus was reportedly recommended to the President by
House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez.
Talks are also rife
that Finance Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin may get a new mandate as a
Commissioner of the ERC. But since he is the alter ego of Finance Secretary
Carlos G. Dominguez III on all state-run energy firms (i.e. Power Sector Assets
and Liabilities Management Corporation, National Power Corporation and National
Transmission Corporation) in which he is designated board chairman, it might be
a tough decision for the finance chief to let him go at this point.
Another prospective
candidate is former ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan, although to
many industry players, he is seen better-placed either at the board or the
Independent Market Operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
Highly placed sources
have similarly indicated that ERC vacancies may not just be limited to two –
but three, with one of the sitting Commissioners reportedly intending to
resign.
With that emerging
frame, the ERC then may almost have its overhaul at the top. It is just the
industry’s wish though that the learning curve of the new Commissioners will be
quick and judicious, so regulatory works won’t be further disrupted.
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