MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a six-month preventive suspension against Monalisa Dimalanta, the Chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
The suspension follows a complaint filed by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (NASECORE), citing Dimalanta’s alleged failure to act on and resolve various petitions and complaints.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires, in an order dated August 20, stated: “The evidence on record shows that the guilt of respondent Dimalanta is strong and the charges against her involve Grave Misconduct, Grave Abuse of Authority, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service which may warrant her removal from the service.”
The Ombudsman explained that the suspension, without pay, aims to prevent potential prejudice should Dimalanta remain in office, as well as to stop her from “further committing malfeasance and/or misfeasance in office.”
The suspension will remain in effect until the administrative case is resolved, but it will not exceed six months.
When asked for a statement, Dimalanta told ABS-CBN News, “We have not received a copy of the Order so we cannot comment at this time.”
A copy of the Ombudsman’s order was also sent to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for immediate implementation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Dimalanta as ERC chief in 2022, with her term scheduled to end on July 10, 2029. She succeeded Agnes Devanadera, who retired in July 2022.