Dimalanta says no resentment in ERC exit

MANILA -- Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta continued to hold office on Tuesday after submitting her irrevocable resignation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Energy Regulatory Commission chair Dimalanta quits post

Under the law, Dimalanta has a 7-year fixed term, which was why some stakeholders wondered why she was leaving after just almost 3 years.

“Meron talagang  politics involved… Walang sama ng loob, pero nanghihinayang na ang ganda ng takbo natin over the last 3 years," Dimalanta told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview.

"Pwede pa sana natin itakbo all the way top the seventh year pero may mga bagay na out of our hands," she added. 

Once her resignation is accepted by the President, there will be 3 vacancies in the ERC: a chair to replace Dimalanta and 2 commissioners after the retirement of Commissioners Catherine Maceda and Alexis Lumbatan.

Dimalanta advised the president to appoint ERC officials who would prioritize the plight of consumers over business interests.

“Itong opisina na ito hindi naman lingid sa lahat madaming nagbabanggang malalaking bato pero lahat ng banggang ng mga batong yun ang maiipit yung consumers," she said.

Nasecore President Pete Ilagan, who was instrumental in Dimalanta’s suspension last year, expressed concerns about who the president would appoint in ERC.

Power rates and multi-billion-peso supply contracts pass through the ERC before these are implemented.

“Hindi natin maiiwasan ang pangamba na papasok ang gustong magsamantala sa pagkakataon na magamit ang kanilang impluwensya doon sa appointing powers kaya yun ang ating dasal na sana ay maging very independent ang presidente," Ilagan said. 

Dimalanta said that while some appointees’ leanings might not be immediately apparent, these would later show in their decisions. 

“Bantayan mo ang mga decision kasi kahit kaninong kaalyado pa yan tingnan mo ang desisyon kung saan sya pupunta.. Kasi baka mamaya pag na-appoint walang leaning or di mo kita kanino bata, pero 'pag tiningnan mo ang desisyon lalabas kung kanino sya talaga," she said.

The ERC is not Dimalanta’s first foray into government service. She had served as legal head of then energy secretary Raphael Lotilla during the Arroyo administration and as chair of the National Renewable Energy board.

Dimalanta said was leaving ERC with no regrets. 

“Aalis ako na wala akong ginawa na pagsisihan ko either ngayon or in the future,” she said. 

Dimalanta said she was not transferring to a new government post and would instead go back to the private sector. She added that she wanted to teach again in law school.