The Department of Energy (DOE) has tapped in former Supreme Court Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno for its newly created Law and Energy Advisory Panel, which will advise the department on energy law reform and other energy-related legal matters – including the legal issues surrounding the Malampaya gas-to-power project.
“Retired Chief Justice Panganiban and Retired Chief Justice Puno have kindly agreed to be the co-chairs of the DOE’s Law and Energy Advisory Panel. They will serve as private citizens and will not assume any public office” Lotilla said in a statement.
The Law and Energy Advisory Panel’s initial discussions are set to cover the legal issues in the country’s upstream oil and gas sector, most especially the Malampaya project, which accounts for 20% of the country’s total power requirements.
Earlier, the DOE said that it would let the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) resolve the issues regarding the sale of the Malampaya between Shell Philippines Exploration B.V and
“We would address any of the legal uncertainties over the upstream sector because the natural gas of the country is needed not only as back-up or to regulate the variable renewable energy – but even before, that’s been a major source of power, especially for the island of Luzon.”
The advisory panel will also be advising the DOE on energy-related reform initiatives and legal matters, which include the promotion of indigenous and low-carbon sources. Furthermore, it will also focus on the enhancements of the legal processes to encourage investments from the private sector, as well as provide advice on improving the people’s welfare in the energy sector.
“The Advisory Panel or its members may also assist the DOE in communicating any aspects of the DOE’s legal or policy initiatives which have been the subject of their advice,” Lotilla said.
Photos from the ASEAN Law Association and Masonic History
