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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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MANILA – Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 240 seeking to investigate the alleged suicide of the Energy Regulartory Commission (ERC) director Atty. Francisco “Jun” Villa.
Villa reportedly committed suicide on Nov. 9 allegedly due to pressure to approve procurement contracts and hire consultants.
He was the chairman of the ERC bidding committee.
A few months before he tooks his own life, the ERC official left three handwritten letters labeled as “suicide notes.” The letter detailed the supposed corruption within the Commission.
“Corruption within the Commission itself could result in the proliferation of anti-competitive behavior which would be disastrous to the stability of our electricity supply,” Gatchalian said.
The resolution also called for the review on the mandate, powers, and functions of the ERC under Republic At. No. 9136.
According to the senator, the agency is responsible for granting several types of permits necessary for industry players to operate. They are also authorized to approve million or billion worth of power contracts.
“Due to its broad decision-making powers within the energy sector, the ERC is the ‘Supreme Court’ of the power industry and should serve as the protector and guardian of the consumers against monopolization and cartelization,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy said./PN
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