(CNN Philippines, May 3) — Malacañang has suspended Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar over various administrative charges.
In an order dated May 2, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea placed Salazar under preventive suspension for a period of 90 days, effective immediately.
Salazar is facing administrative charges – serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, gross insubordination, violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees among others
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Medialdea said “examination of the records reveals that there exists a prima facie case against Chairman Salazar on the above-stated charges.”
Salazar was given 10 days to file his comment or written explanation regarding the administrative charges.
If proven guilty of the charges, Salazar can be removed from office.
Medialdea said the reason behind Salazar’s suspension was to prevent him from influencing the outcome of the investigation against him.
Salazar is in hot water after he was accused of anomaly by ERC director Francisco Jose Villa Jr. who committed suicide last year.
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Salazar, however, had denied all charges against him saying that several influential individuals who had vested interests in the energy sector were ganging up on him.
