Vice Gov Magpale’s daughter now ERC commissioner

CEBU, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has appointed another Cebuana in a top post at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Last week, Malacañang announced that Department of Energy Undersecretary Josefina Patricia “Aina” Magpale-Asirit was appointed as the new Comissioner of the ERC.

This was confirmed by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, mother of Asirit, who said that her daughter got the call while they were out of the country recently for a vacation.

Magpale said they were on vacation with the whole family when Asirit got a call requesting her to complete documents pertaining to her new appointment.

She said this was why they cut their vacation short since her daughter needed to report to office already.

She said Asirit is currently in Manila to prepare all the necessary documents.

“I’m very happy for her and I’m very confident that she would make a very good commissioner. She’s very well versed sa energy, she studied well and she’s a dedicated public servant,” said Magpale, who said oath-taking would most likely be in August, depending on the schedule of the president.

In 2010, Asirit was appointed undersecretary of the DOE.

Her uncle, Rene Almendras, was appointed Cabinet Secretary in 2012, consequently Asirit tendered her resignation but was told to remain in her position as undersecretary.

Since May of this year, Asirit’s name was floated as a likely candidate to replace retired ERC Commissioner Maria Teresa Castaneda. This month, another ERC Commissioner, Jose Reyes, also retired.

Asirit will now be working with current ERC Commissioners Victoria Taruc and Alfredo Non. MIT (FREEMAN)