ERC chair, chief of staff pressured late Jun Villa to sign 'illegal' docs —Charie Villa

The sister of the late Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) director Francisco Jose "Jun" Villa Jr. on Monday claimed that the commission's chairman, Jose Vicente Salazar, and his first-degree cousin pressured her brother to sign "illegal" documents.

During the resumption of the House inquiry into the alleged irregularities at the ERC, journalist Charie Villa revealed that it was Salazar and Steve Riva who put pressure on her brother.

"Sabi niya si Chairman Salazar and Steve Riva po," Villa said.

Salazar said Riva was his chief of staff. He also was his first-degree cousin.

Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, questioned Salazar if the appointment was illegal.

Salazar said he appointed Riva in a position of confidence.

"If I appoint him sa isang plantilla position, ang hindi po ina-allow 'yung third degree, kaya po pwede siyang i-appoint sa plantilla positions," Salazar clarified.

Moreover, Salazar noted that Riva had no hand in the decision-making.

"He (Riva) was just a messenger, your honor. He said he does not understand the intricacies of the procurement process. He asked guidance from BAC (bids and awards committee). All the procurements that happen are under the direction of the BAC," Salazar explained.

The House Committee on Good Governance, together with Energy, was conducting an inquiry into the allegations of corruption at the ERC surrounding the suicide of director Villa.

The late director, who headed the bids and awards committee of the ERC, took his life on November 9, 2016 and left handwritten suicide letters made public by Villa. —KG, GMA News