ENVIRONMENTAL advocates, the Power for People Coalition (P4P) has summed up the challenges facing Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, designated Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and other nominees eyed for the post upon taking office.
Even to the other group like Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), Lotilla, as come-backing DOE chief faces many challenges.
“Among the issues President Marcos’ cabinet Lotilla faces are stabilizing the country’s food supply and addressing the rising pump prices,” it said.
Lotilla served the same position from 2005 to 2007 under the Arroyo administration and is among the four candidates previously being eyed to replace Alfonso Cusi.
The other names are former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Agnes Devanadera, former congressman Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo, Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, and DOE Undersecretary DOE Benito Ranque.
Like Lotilla, the consumer rights and energy advocacy group also earlier expressed reservations over the possible appointment of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Agnes Devanadera as the secretary of the Energy Department, questioning decisions made under her leadership and calling her an “ally of dirty energy.”
Devanadera was first recommended for the post by Sen. Imee Marcos after the ERC chief asked the incoming administration to abolish the 12% value-added tax from power generation charges.
Devanadera was floated, sparking criticism of her history of anti-consumer stances in the energy sector.
Lotilla, who also served as DOE Secretary under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was announced as Marcos’ pick by Press Secretary Rose Beatrix ‘Trixie’ Cruz-Angeles.
In a statement, Angeles said Marcos decided to recruit the energy secretary of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to his Cabinet.
Even though Angeles clarified that “the designation of Lotilla is right now a nomination, pending clarification of his employment status.”
“As Lotilla’s role as an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corporation and ACE Enexor potentially hurts his eligibility to serve as DOE Secretary,” said P4P convenor Gerry Arances.
Arances said that the law requires at least two years of retirement, resignation, or separation from an energy industry office post before being appointed.
Lotilla was also a former Deputy Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority.
“With the final appointment still up in the air, the challenge is clear and pressing for anyone who takes this post: Bring down electricity rates in the shortest period of time possible,” said Arances.
“But we are concerned that given his ties to the power sector, he may not be coming in as an honest broker and is instead a Trojan horse for corporate interests,” added Arances.
