(Eagle News) — President Aquino has appointed a new head of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Lawyer Jose Vicente B. Salazar is now the new chair of the ERC replacing Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut who, along with five former congressmen and other ERC officials, has been earlier indicted by the Ombudsman for graft, malversation and direct bribery charges.
This is in connection with the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as pork barrel funds.
Salazar will serve the seven-year term as Chairman until July 10, 2022. An advisory from Malacanang said Salazar was appointed by the President on July 31.
Prior to his appointment, Salazar served as Undersecretary-in-Charge on Energy Matters from 2007 to 2013 and as Chairperson of the Department of Energy-Department of Justice Task Force on the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 during the same period.
He was also a former Board Member of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation.
From 2005 to 2007, Salazar was a senior consultant for the National Transmission Corp.
Salazar, 45, holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines and earned his Juris Doctor at the Ateneo De Manila University.
Salazar finished his Master in Public Administration degree from Harvard University. (with a PND report)
