ERC chair ordered suspended

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Malacañang ordered the suspension of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman Jose Vicente Salazar who is facing various administrative charges.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued the order last Tuesday placing Salazar under preventive suspension for 90 days effective immediately.

The suspension stemmed from the complaint against Salazar late last month of deceiving Malacañang in filing his travel authority and designating somebody without proper authority as officer-in-charge while he was abroad.

Salazar is facing charges of serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, gross insubordination, among various administrative offenses.

“Examination of the records reveals that there exists a prima facie case against chairman Salazar on the above-stated charges,” Medialdea said.

“Salazar is also given 10 days to file his comment or written explanation with regard to the administrative charges. If proven guilty of the charges, Salazar can be removed from office,” he added.