Agnes, the troubleshooter

The energy situation should have been different had the Energy Regulatory Commission, or ERC, been vigilant during the term of Agnes Devanadera, who keeps being recycled and is now Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive officer.

ERC actions on NGCP during her term would have resulted in a more reliable power supply at less cost, but her dalliance with energy companies dates back to when she was solicitor general under the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In 2019, the public called for the opening of the books of oil companies amid suspicions that they were acting as a cartel that resulted in the consistently high prices of fuel, Devanadera took the side of the oil giants.

She petitioned the court to reconsider an order for oil firms to open their books, saying that the ERC should be the one undertaking such probe.

Malacañang then asked Devanadera to explain to President Arroyo her awkward move favoring the oil multinationals to file a motion for reconsideration with a Manila court.

Devanadera's action even contradicted an order of Arroyo herself for the Department of Energy to undertake steps that would lead to an audit of oil companies.

Arroyo also wanted the review of the financial books of oil firms to happen due to the unabated increase in fuel prices then.

Arroyo's directive was supported by a Manila court that sustained the legality of the government audit and had even directed the Commission on Audit, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Bureau of Customs to look into the books of oil companies.

Then Manila court Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. cited "strong public interest" and "a need to uncover the mystery of frequent increases in petroleum products" for his decision to order the opening of the books of big oil firms.

The Devanadera, gambit, thus, preempted a meaningful audit into oil firms.

Until now, oil firms have not been subjected to an audit, which surprisingly was the same omission that benefited NGCP during Devanadera's term as ERC chief.

No wonder it was Devanadera that big businesses in the lucrative energy sector approach whenever they get into trouble with the government.