Following Malacañang’s confirmation that Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta has resigned from her post, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) aired its concern, especially with the concurrent end of term of two other commissioners—an outcome that effectively deprives the agency of a quorum to perform its regulatory role.

“The leadership vacuum will also delay key decisions regarding power tariffs, consumer protection, and energy policies that will unfairly weigh on industrial and domestic consumers,” the country’s biggest business organization said in a statement on Monday.

In light of this, the business group urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act with deliberate speed in appointing able and independent-thinking commissioners to ensure the continuity of the ERC’s mandate.

“The energy sector needs a strong and robust regulatory body to protect the interests of electricity consumers across the country,” the PCCI stressed.

Presidential spokesperson Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed on Monday that Dimalanta submitted her irrevocable resignation.