MANILA, Philippines – Since Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officials refuse to resign, President Rodrigo Duterte wants the agency itself abolished and replaced with another body.

“I have received word that the members of that body have refused to step down. I demanded that they all resign. Kung ayaw ninyo, madali lang ‘yan (If you refuse, that’s easy), we will abolish the office,” said Duterte late Wednesday night, November 23, during a press conference upon his arrival from New Zealand.

“I will not grant a single centavo. You can stay there forever. I will set up another [body],” he added.

ERC officials had refused to heed Duterte’s call, saying they would rather be put under an “impartial investigation.”

Despite Duterte’s threat to abolish the ERC, he will need Congress approval because the commission was created by a law, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Duterte’s threat appeared off-script since, before his outburst, he was reading a prepared speech about the ERC issue in which he directed “a comprehensive review of all legal remedies to overhaul and effect fundamental changes in the agency, including the officials.”

But reading about the issue seemed to get his blood boiling, leading him to deviate from the prepared message.

For much of his speech, Duterte would constantly bring up the ERC in curse-laden tirades.

He was particularly furious about the allegedly large number of consultants hired by ERC officials.

“You’re to hear cases about the increase of electricity and all, and here you are wallowing into corrupton with so many – bakit ang consultants ninyo eh…? Putang – kung wala kang utak, umalis ka diyan! (If you need so many consultants, son of a – if you don’t have brains, get out of there!) Why do you have so many consultants?” the President asked.

Ban on consultants?

Because of his frustration with the ERC, Duterte is considering prohibiting all government agencies from hiring consultants.

“Maybe I will prohibit everybody from getting consultants. Ipaputol mo na lang ‘yan (Have it cut). Siguro (Maybe), we’ll save millions every month,” he said.

He also said he would “review” all government-owned and controlled corporations for similar practices.

Duterte blamed the ERC officials’ alleged incompetence and corruption for the country’s high electricity rates, among the highest in Asia.

“Kaya mahal na nga lahat, nagreklamo hindi makabayad, pinaputulan na ng electricity, tubig tapos nandiyan kayo, sige kayo, parang nagibigay kayo ng pera na galing sa bulsa ninyo, mga yawa kayo,” said the President.

(That’s why everything is expensive. Many complain that they can’t pay, their electricity and water connection gets cut, and here you are acting like you’re giving away your own money, you fools.)

Last November 21, Duterte demanded the resignation of all ERC officials after hearing intelligence reports about corruption in the commission, a body created by law to keep an eye out for abusive practices in the power industry that disadvantage Filipino consumers.

The ERC has been hounded by reports of dubious handlings of contracts, the hiring of too many consultants, and questionable appointments. (READ: ERC appointment raises conflict-of-interest issues)

Two weeks before Duterte called out the ERC, ERC Director Francisco Villa Jr died reportedly at his own hands.

His sister, journalist Charie Villa, claimed he committed suicide because he was forced by superiors to disregard proper procedure in approving contracts and hiring consultants.

As ERC Director, Villa served as the chairman of the bids and awards committee.

Despite reports of corruption in the ERC, Senator Ralph Recto urged Duterte not to abolish the agency, emphasizing the need for a body to “police” the electricity market.

“Somebody should blow the whistle on anti-competitive practices in an industry so vital to the nation,” said Recto. – Rappler.com