ERC forms 2 units to speed up probe on power price collusion

MANILA, Philippines - The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has formed two divisions for a speedy decision-making on the cases of 12 power players that withheld power supply in December 2013 which resulted in record high increase in electricity rates.

The ERC issued Resolution No. 14 which divides the commission into two core groups for the conduct of hearings and to designate commissioners to act as presiding officers in anti-competition cases.

Currently pending is the decision on the 13 complaints from the ERC-Investigating Unit in violation of Section 45 of Republic Act No. 9136 pertaining to anti-competitive behavior.

 “…In view of the number of these Anti-Competition cases now pending before the Commission and in order to secure an orderly, efficient and expeditious disposition of these cases, the Commission deems it appropriate to divide the Commission into two core groups and to designate the Commissioners to act as presiding officers, for and in the conduct of hearings,” the ERC resolution said.

ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar will sit in both divisions. Commissioners Alfredo Non and Josefina Patricia Magpale-Asirit will preside in the First Division while Commissioners Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc and Geronimo Sta. Ana are the presiding officers in the Second Division.

Under the resolution, the 13 cases will be divided between the two divisions through raffle.

In a text message to The STAR, ERC spokesperson Floresinda Digal said pre-trial hearing for the cases will start on Aug. 8.

The ERC restarted the probe following the appointment of former Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar as chairman until July 10, 2022.

The ERC-IU came out with a report in June 2015 stating 12 power players withheld power supply, considered an anti-competitive behavior, during the December 2013 period.

These 12 power players are state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), Pan-Asia Energy Holdings, ThermaMobile (TMO), CIP II Power Corp., Trans-Asia Power Corp., 1590 Bauang, AP Renewables, Udenna Management Resources Corp., Strategic Power, GNPower, SEM-Calaca and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).