QuestionsQuestions (ERC Resolution NO. 02, S. 2013)
It is anchored on the Energy Regulatory Commission’s authority to issue rules necessary for the discharge of its functions under Section 4(o), Rule 3 of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), considering the ERC is an independent quasi-judicial regulatory body created under Section 38 of EPIRA.
It adopted the “Efficient Use of Paper Rule” issued by the Supreme Court En Banc on November 13, 2012 (A.M. No. 11-9-4-SC) to reduce the use of excessive, costly paper—helping save forests, avoid landslides, and mitigate climate change effects.
All pleadings, motions, and similar “court-bound papers” intended for consideration/action; reports submitted to the courts and transcript of stenographic notes; and all decisions, resolutions, and orders issued by courts and quasi-judicial agencies.
Commission-bound papers must be written using 14-size Arial font (per the amended ERC Section 2, Rule 3).
They must be on 13-inch by 8.5-inch white bond paper, written in single space with one-and-a-half space between paragraphs; footnotes are single-spaced.
Left: 1.5 inches; Upper: 1.2 inches; Right: 1.0 inch; Lower: 1.0 inch from the respective page edges.
Every page of the Commission-bound papers must be consecutively numbered.
Unless otherwise directed, an original and two (2) copies of any Commission-bound paper, together with annexes thereto, must be filed.
They must be fastened only on the left side.
A party need not enclose copies of annexes that, based on the Commission’s record, the adverse party already has in his possession.
Within five (5) days from receipt of the request.
The resolution updates ERC Rule 10, Section 1 to include the “no need to re-serve annexes already in the record” rule and to set the five-day compliance period if annexes are requested.
It specifically amends the formatting rules for Commission-bound papers by adopting the Efficient Use of Paper Rule details: single spacing with 1.5 between paragraphs, 14-size Arial font, 13x8.5 bond paper, specified margins, consecutive page numbering, left-side fastening, and the filing of an original and two copies.
It takes effect immediately following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
To clarify that service of documents under Rule 10, Section 1 is subject to the provisions governing confidentiality, meaning confidential materials must follow Rule 4 limitations.
It makes the Efficient Use of Paper Rule binding within ERC proceedings, specifically through amendments to ERC Rule 3, Section 2 and Rule 10, Section 1, thereby guiding filing, formatting, and service requirements before the ERC.