NEA fines 5 directors of Leyte electric co-op

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has ordered five directors of the Leyte Electric Cooperative II (Leyeco II) to pay a fine of P23,100 each after finding them guilty of two counts of simple misconduct. 

They have also ordered the Leyeco II management to “ensure” the collection of P141,054.67 from its retired manager, lawyer Jerry Gwen Conde, “including but not limited to the filing of a civil action in the proper court.” 

This was NEA’s decision on an administrative complaint filed by the officers of the National Association of Electricity Consumers Inc.-Tacloban chapter, alleging that Conde still got his salaries and benefits long after his retirement and that the board of directors allegedly condoned it.

Conde was also allegedly given a P3. 73-million retirement package using “18 years” as multiplier, even if the NEA-approved multiplier was only for 17.3 years. This resulted in a difference of P141,054.67 that NEA said should be collected from Conde.

Fined by the NEA were Leyeco II directors Rolando Hidalgo, Reynaldo Galapon, Gregorio Dolina, Feliciano Elizon Jr., and Alan Surpia.