MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday confirmed the suspension order issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea against Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chair Jose Vicente Salazar.
“The Office of the President has placed ERC chair Jose Vicente Salazar on preventive suspension pending investigation of the various complaints filed against him,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
Earlier reports said Medialdea had placed Salazar under a 90-day preventive suspension effective immediately to prevent the ERC chair from influencing the outcome of various administrative cases against him.
Salazar is being alleged of serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, gross insubordination, violating the Government Procurement Act, and the Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. He denied all the charges.
The embattled official was given 10 days to file his comment or written explanation on the charges filed against him.
