Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed veteran energy lawyer Francis Saturnino Juan as the new chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), effective Aug. 8, following the resignation of Monalisa Dimalanta. The announcement was made by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a Malaca±ang briefing.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated, "Appointed as chairperson of the ERC is Attorney Francis Saturnino C. Juan, a seasoned energy expert. He brings with him decades of experience in regulatory affairs." Juan currently serves as president of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines and has held key positions at the ERC, including executive director and general counsel.
Juan has been instrumental in establishing the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and has long been an advocate of consumer protection and tariff reform. "We are confident that Chairperson Juan will steer the ERC toward more efficient, transparent, and pro-consumer decision making," Castro added.
Juan's appointment follows Dimalanta's confirmed resignation, also effective Aug. 8, as she returns to private practice. Castro expressed gratitude for Dimalanta's dedicated service to the commission and the Filipino people.
In addition to Juan, the President also named two new ERC commissioners - lawyers Amante Liberato and Paris Real. Liberato, a lawyer and certified public accountant, is currently deputy executive secretary for finance and administration at the Office of the President. He has previously served with the Commission on Audit and held various consultancy posts in both houses of Congress.
Castro noted that Liberato's strong background in fiscal management and regulatory policy would be vital in supporting institutional reforms within the ERC. Meanwhile, Real is a seasoned litigator with more than two decades of legal practice and has actively engaged in high-impact ERC regulatory proceedings for over 10 years. He is expected to bolster the commission's quasi-judicial processes with a focus on legal integrity and consumer protection.
"The appointments reflect the President's commitment to energizing the ERC with leaders who uphold integrity, transparency, and public service," Castro stated.
