Cusi Turns Over PEMC Chairmanship

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THE TORCH IS PASSED: Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turns over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, upon the latter's unanimous election during today's PEM Board meeting. This is a vital step towards the full independence of the country's electricity market, where PEMC will stand as its governing body and the DOE will maintain policy oversight.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turned over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, who was unanimously elected by the new members of the PEM Board today.

The Secretary said, “We welcome the election of Mr. Aboboto as the new PEMC Chair. Great strides have been made this week in finally fulfilling EPIRA’s vision for the institutionalization of a truly independent market operator (IMO). From the very beginning, we were clear that we would pave the way for the market’s self-governance. I am happy to see it come to fruition and I sincerely hope that the IMO and PEMC would serve both the energy industry and the consuming public well in the years to come.”

Upon Mr. Aboboto’s election, Secretary Cusi immediately gave him the floor to preside over the rest of the PEM Board meeting.

In addition to Aboboto’s election as chairman, independent director Atty. Oscar E. Ala was elected as PEMC’s president, while Elenita Go of SMC Global Power was voted as the treasurer.

i-ACT Apprehends Colorum Vehicle, Surprised to Discover Police Uniform and PNP Commemorative Plate

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Even before the start of Inter-Agency Council for Traffic’s (i-ACT) Team Bravo’s operations Tuesday morning, the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) members of I-ACT already turned over a colorum vehicle apprehended earlier that day. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the team discovered a used police uniform, a PNP commemorative plate, and an unlicensed radio communication device. 

Initial reports from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed that the van is indeed a private vehicle, which means it may not be used for public utility purposes. During apprehension, the HPG confirmed there were paying passengers inside.

Usec. Thomas “Tim” Orbos, undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and over-all chairman of i-ACT, is closely monitoring the investigation of the case. 

“Internal cleansing sa atin mismo sa loob ng gobyerno ang isa sa mga layunin ng i-ACT. Kasama natin ang mga leader ng PNP-HPG at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan para siguraduhin na tayo mismo sa serbisyo ay hindi sumusuway sa batas,” Orbos said. “Utos ng Presidente na alisin ang mga colorum. Lalo pang hindi makakalusot ito kung mapapatunayan na pulis o nagpapanggap na pulis ang nagmamaneho.” 

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade warned people in government service to obey the law, or be ready to face the consequences.

"Kung mga taong gobyerno mismo ang nasa likod ng mga kolorum, mas matindi dapat ang parusa niyan. Ang tagapagpatupad ng batas ang kauna-unahang dapat sumunod dito," said Secretary Tugade.

Further reports shall be given to the public as the investigation progresses.

Tugade Orders Filing of Criminal Cases vs Erring Officers, Employees

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In line with the government’s relentless efforts to fight and eradicate corruption, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade recently ordered the filing of cases against erring officers and employees. 

In a Memorandum dated 13 June 2018, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra stressed that public accountability should not stop at the termination of the erring employee. 

“The instruction of Secretary Tugade is very clear. Erring officers should also be made criminally liable, when all the elements of a crime appear to be present,” Usec. Yebra said.

“Sec. Tugade ordered to institute the filing of appropriate criminal cases within 15 days from the termination of the erring officer or employee in the Department,” Usec. Yebra added.

The DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Tugade, has suspended and terminated a number of erring officers and employees due to corruption charges and other illegal activities.