President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acted swiftly to fill the regulatory vacuum created by the resignation of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta, while also naming nominees to two vacant seats on the agency’s board.

Appointed to head the ERC is energy expert Francis Saturnino C. Juan, whose term becomes effective on 8 August.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Juan has decades of experience in the ERC, having previously served as executive director and general counsel of the commission.

He is also president of the Independent Electricity Market Operators of the Philippines (IEMOP).

Juan was also instrumental in initiating the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) which advocates for consumer protection and promotes renewable energy development through tariff reforms.

“With his deep institutional knowledge and leadership, we are confident Chairperson Juan will steer the ERC toward a more efficient, transparent, and pro-consumer decision-making. We look forward to a smooth and seamless transition under his chairmanship,” Castro said.

New commissioners

Marcos also filled two vacant seats on the ERC board left by former commissioners Catherine Maceda and Alexis Lumbatan, who retired on 10 July.

Amante Liberato and Paris Real will assume the vacant seats “effective upon their assumption to office.”

Liberato is the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration in the Office of the President.

Apart from being a lawyer, he is a certified public accountant with extensive experience in public finance, legal reform, and governance. He previously served on the Commission on Audit and was a consultant to the legislative and executive branches of government.

“His strong background in fiscal management and regulatory policy will be vital in supporting institutional reforms within the ERC,” Castro said.

Real is a seasoned litigator and legal adviser with over 20 years of experience. For more than a decade, Real has actively participated in high-impact ERC regulatory proceedings.

“He is known for his focus on legal integrity, consumer protection that is expected to strengthen the commission’s quasi-judicial processes,” Castro said.

“Together, these appointments reflect the President’s commitment to energizing the ERC with leaders who uphold integrity, transparency, and public service,” she added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang thanked Dimalanta for her service to the ERC as she returns to the private sector.

“We extend our deepest gratitude for her dedicated service to the commission and the Filipino people. We wish her continued success as she returns to private practice,” Castro said.