Naayon umano sa batas at balido ang nominasyon ni Raphael Perpetuo “Popo” Lotilla bilang kalihim ng Department of Energy (DOE).
Ito ang inihayag ng Department of Justice (DOJ) matapos bigyan ng greenlight ang nominasyon ni Lotilla sa DOE.
Ayon sa DOJ, hindi dahilan para madisqualify sa posisyon ang pagiging isang independent director ng Aboitiz Power Corporation.
“In accordance with the subsequent laws, namely, the Revised Corporation Code, Securities Regulations Code, and the Code of Corporate Governance, an independent director is not an officer based on the nature, duties, functions and responsibilities vis-à-vis the corporation he serves. It is sui generis in character,” ayon kay Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.
Sinabi ni Remulla na sa articles and by-laws ng Aboitiz Power Corporation and Ace Enexor kung saan nagsisilbi si Lotilla bilang independent director ay ini-adopt ang “ statutory concept of an independent director.”
“Thus, it is clear that an independent director like Lotilla does not fall within the proscription under Section 8 of R.A. No. 9638 against an officer, external auditor, accountant, or legal counsel of any private company or enterprise primarily engaged in the energy industry,” dagdag ni Remulla.
Unang nagsilbi si Lotilla bilang Energy Secretary sa ilalim ng Arroyo administration. (Carl Angelo)
