The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has rejected proposals to increase its number of commissioners from five to nine, saying the move would not solve the agency’s current challenges.
ERC chairman Francis Saturnino Juan said the regulator submitted a position paper to the House of Representatives in response to plans to restructure the body. He emphasized that delays and case backlogs are not due to the number of commissioners, but rather “the quality of their collaboration.”
“An increase in the number of commissioners does not necessarily lead to faster decisions. It may even create gridlock and prolonged debates,” Juan said. The ERC’s paper noted that recent challenges, such as regulatory uncertainty and perceived indecisiveness, reflect deeper leadership and organizational issues, not structural problems.
The ERC also warned against overly prescriptive legislative solutions that could limit its flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing energy sector. The commission highlighted ongoing difficulties in attracting and retaining top talent like engineers, economists, and utility experts, which affects its operations.
As a quasi-judicial body, the ERC mainly rules on applications and cases affecting power rates in the Philippines.
