Dimalanta back as ERC chair

The Office of the Ombudsman has lifted the preventive suspension of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Monalisa C. Dimalanta.

The Ombudsman noted that the ERC chair has already submitted her counter-affidavit, and investigators have all the necessary documents for the case. The remaining steps include the submission of Position Papers and a clarificatory hearing.

“As in the other cases investigated by the Ombudsman, the preventive suspension was lifted prior to the expiration of the 6-month period provided by law,” a statement from the Office of the Ombudsman said. 

The Ombudsman earlier issued a Preventive Suspension Order against ERC Chairperson Dimalanta in August. 

In October, Dimalanta filed a Motion for Reconsideration (MR), which was subsequently denied on the grounds of sufficient basis for the suspension’s issuance.

“The Ombudsman is explicitly authorized to issue a preventive suspension order under Section 24 of RA 6770 when two conditions are met,” said the Ombudsman.

According to the Ombudsman, the evidence should strongly suggest guilt on top of grounds such as dishonesty, oppression, severe misconduct, or neglect of duty. These charges, which could justify removal from office, may also compromise the case against the accused if not addressed.

Earlier, the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (NASECORE) filed a complaint, accusing Dimalanta of violating the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).