Ombudsman suspends ERC commissioner over alleged neglect of duty

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chair Monalisa Dimalanta under preventive suspension over her alleged involvement in Meralco’s purchase of electricity in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) at higher prices.

In an order dated Aug. 20, 2024, the Ombudsman imposed a six-month suspension without pay on Dimalanta for alleged grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Placing someone under preventive suspension is the Ombudsman’s way of ensuring impartiality during the investigation.

In December 2023, the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore) filed a complaint with the Ombudsman, accusing Dimalanta of gross neglect of duty and actions detrimental to public service.

Nasecore claimed that Dimalanta allowed Meralco to purchase electricity from WESM and pass the costs to consumers without securing the necessary approval from the ERC, violating the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

WESM serves as the trading platform for electricity in the Philippines.

According to the Ombudsman, the evidence against the ERC chair is strong.

“The evidence on record shows that the guilt of respondent Dimalanta is strong, and the charges against her involve Grave Misconduct, Grave Abuse of Authority, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, which may warrant her removal from service. Her continued stay in office may prejudice the case filed against her; and, to prevent further malfeasance or misfeasance, she is hereby placed under preventive suspension during the investigation period, but not for more than six (6) months, pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6770,” the order stated.

Philstar.com reached out to Dimalanta for comment, but she said she had not yet received a copy of the Ombudsman’s order.