ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman and chief executive officer Jose Vicente Salazar has been suspended, amid pending administrative charges lodged against him, Malacañang said.
"The Office of the President has placed ERC Chair Jose Vicente Salazar on preventive suspension pending investigation of the various complaints filed against him," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
Abella's statement came after a three-page document containing the suspension order for Salazar had been leaked to reporters.
The document, which was inked by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on May 2, ordered the preventive suspension of Salazar for a period of three months.
Salazar is facing "serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and grave misconduct," on account of violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
He was accused of "hastily" issuing orders relative to the renewal of seven electric power purchase agreements between FDC Utilities Inc.-Misamis and various distribution utilities.
Salazar was given 10 days to counter the allegations hurled against him.
While Abella confirmed Salazar's suspension, Malacañang denied about the document purportedly signed by Medialdea. (VoxPop Philippines)
