MANILA – Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta has submitted her irrevocable resignation, becoming the latest high-ranking official to step down amid the Marcos administration’s sweeping performance review and leadership revamp.
“She did [resign]. Irrevocable resignation,” confirmed Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday.
According to reports, Dimalanta filed her resignation on July 10 through the Office of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Her exit comes after the ERC was among the agencies that received a memorandum from Malacañang on May 23, instructing officials to “tender an unqualified courtesy resignation.”
The directive was part of the Palace’s broader initiative to evaluate the performance of top officials across various government agencies.
The memo also stated, “Until any action is taken by the President and/or the undersigned on such courtesy resignation, you shall continue to report for work and perform your usual duties and functions.”
While the commissioners of the ERC — including the chairperson — are appointed by the President, they serve fixed terms under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
Dimalanta previously clarified that the courtesy resignation directive was “a generic memo sent to all” and emphasized that ERC officials “have fixed terms under the EPIRA.”
Dimalanta’s resignation follows the recent retirement of commissioners Alexis Lumbatan and Catherine Maceda on July 10, leaving two vacant seats at the Commission and further fueling speculation of a deeper shakeup in the energy regulatory sector./PN
