MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed veteran energy lawyer Francis Saturnino Juan as the new chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), signaling a potential shift toward stronger pro-consumer policies and transparency within the agency.
Juan’s appointment, effective August 8, comes following the resignation of former chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta, who is stepping down to return to private practice. The announcement was made Thursday morning by Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro during a press briefing in Malacañang.
“Appointed as chairperson of the ERC is Attorney Francis Saturnino C. Juan, a seasoned energy expert,” Castro said. “He brings with him decades of experience in regulatory affairs.”
Currently the head of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), Juan previously served as executive director and general counsel at the ERC. He played a key role in establishing the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and is widely regarded as a staunch advocate for consumer protection and tariff reform.
“We are confident that Chairperson Juan will steer the ERC toward more efficient, transparent, and pro-consumer decision making,” Castro added.
In the same briefing, Castro announced that Marcos also appointed two new ERC commissioners: Atty. Amante Liberato and Atty. Paris Real.
Liberato, a lawyer and certified public accountant, currently holds the post of deputy executive secretary for finance and administration in the Office of the President. He has also worked at the Commission on Audit and served as a consultant in both houses of Congress.
His “strong background in fiscal management and regulatory policy will be vital in supporting institutional reforms within the ERC,” said Castro.
Real, meanwhile, brings more than two decades of legal experience, including over ten years handling regulatory proceedings at the ERC itself. He is expected to bolster the commission’s quasi-judicial functions and enhance its consumer protection initiatives.
“The appointments reflect the President’s commitment to energizing the ERC with leaders who uphold integrity, transparency, and public service,” Castro emphasized.
Dimalanta, whose resignation takes effect the same day as Juan’s assumption of office, was acknowledged for her contributions to the commission.
“We extend our deepest gratitude for her dedicated service to the commission and to the Filipino people,” Castro said./PN
