Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta. ERC/Facebook 

MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the six-month preventive suspension of Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta.

This stemmed from a complaint filed against Dimalanta due to inaction and "failure to resolve" various petitions and complaints filed by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc (NASECORE).

"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," Ombudsman Samuel Martires said in the order dated August 20.

The Ombudsman said the six-month preventive suspension without pay aimed to prevent any prejudice if she remained in office and from “further committing malfeasance and/or misfeasance in office.” 

The suspension will remain “until the administrative adjudication of this case is terminated, but not to exceed six months.” 

"We have not received a copy of the Order so we cannot comment at this time," Dimalanta told ABS-CBN News when asked for a statement.

A copy of the order was also furnished to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for the “immediate implementation” of the suspension.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Dimalanta as ERC chief in 2022, with her term expiring on July 10, 2029.

Dimalanta replaced Agnes Devanadera, who retired as ERC chairperson in July 2022.

More details to follow.

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