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Manglona quits CPUC; Alepuyo back as sole member
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Posted on Nov 07 2011
Newly appointed Commonwealth Public Utilities Corp. member Joaquin Manglona unexpectedly stepped down on Nov. 1, leaving Viola Alepuyo as the sole member of the commission once again.
Alepuyo confirmed Manglona’s resignation, citing personal reasons.
Manglona had attended CPUC meetings thrice. At the last meeting, he expressed disappointment over the commission’s situation: without a budget, without an office and staff, and with only two members.
“This is my third time in the meeting and I really believe that we need an office with executive director and a staff to handle operations. …We also need a complete membership because it is becoming ridiculous. I really hate that my vote actually represents 50 percent of the decision, which is scary. Without my vote, nothing goes. This is putting too much pressure on us and we need help. It’s getting too much for an old man,” said Manglona at the meeting.
He recommended seeking immediate appointments to the commission and asked the Legislature to expedite confirmations.
CPUC members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
According to Alepuyo, the law permits her to function as the sole member of the commission within 60 days following Manglona’s resignation. After that, the governor is allowed to extend the commission’s operation for another 30 days even if there is only one member.
Unless a new member is appointed and confirmed by then, Alepuyo said that she will be the sole member making the decisions at the scheduled Nov. 14 meeting. Frustrated by the situation, Alepuyo said she has no choice but to sustain the commission’s function. She assured that she will render a sound and fair decision on all issues before the commission.
She said the commission has been asking for the immediate appointment of other members, to no avail. She concurred with all the concerns raised by Manglona.
Alepuyo’s term with the CPUC is until March 2012.
