Veteran broadcast journalist Charie Villa turned emotional as she narrated the last days of her brother, Former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Director Francisco Jose “Jun” Villa Jr.
Charie Villa recalled, her brother had told her that “Chairman Salazar is pushing me to sign illegal documents.”
Charie said she had advised her brother, "Jun, quit that job na.”
Salazar is ERC’s Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer who was Jun Villa’s superior.
Jun Villa committed suicide on November 9, 2016 reportedly due to pressure to approve contracts that lacked bidding process.
A day before he took his life, Jun Villa had breakfast with Charie.
Charie had asked Jun why he was not reporting for work.
Jun said he did not want to go to his office because Salazar was forcing him to sign anomalous deals.
Charie added Salazar’s action was written in her brother’s suicide note.
Charie said the contracts approved by his brother under pressure may not involve huge amounts, but the commission of these irregularities was a huge deal to the conscience of public servants like her brother.
Salazar had allegedly forced Jun Villa to give the go-signal for projects like the renovation of the ERC boardroom and the procurement of pest control services.