Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday, November 1, welcomed the reinstatement of Monalisa Dimalanta as chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) saying the move bodes well for the energy sector.
Malacañang has reinstated Dimalanta to her post since the Ombudsman has already lifted the preventive suspension issued against her.
“The reinstatement of Energy Regulatory Commission chair Monalisa Dimalanta is a favorable development in the energy sector and bodes well with our desire to see a revitalized regulatory body given her unquestionable integrity and exemplary work ethics,” said Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy.
“With Chair Dimalanta at the helm, we can only expect the ERC to provide sound decisions that appropriately balances the interest of all stakeholders in the industry and protects the welfare of consumers,” the senator said.
“Inasasahan nating mas magiging matatag ang papel ng ERC sa sektor sa mga dadating na panahon (We expect the ERC's role in the sector to be stronger in the coming times),” he further said.
Dimalanta was earlier suspended due to the complaint filed against her by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc.
The group complained that she allegedly failed to regulate power rates, specifically in terms of recalculating Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) distribution rate.
Dimalanta’s tenure as ERC chief is until July 2029 after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed her to a seven-year term.
RELATED STORY: https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/4/ombudsman-orders-six-months-suspension-of-erc-chairperson-dimalanta