Napocor taps chief lawyer as OIC after Benavidez’s passing

State firm National Power Corp. (Napocor) has named its chief lawyer Melchor Paz Ridulme officer-in-charge after company president and CEO Pio J. Benavidez passed away on June 22.

Napocor said in a statement its board, chaired by the Department of Finance, made the decision on Wednesday. Benavidez, 69, succumbed to a heart attack on Tuesday morning.

Ridulme, Napocor’s vice president-legal counsel, will be in charge until a new CEO is nominated by the President of the Philippines and formally elected by the Napocor board.

“Ridulme has been the youngest vice president of Napocor and has held his current position for the past 10 years,” the state firm said.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines and San Beda College, Ridulme also heads an Anti-Red Tape committee as well as an investigative committee focused on the firm’s whistleblowing policy.

The lawyer also serves as coordinator of the Philippines for the Heads of Asean Power Utilities and Authorities.

In a tribute to Benavidez, Napocor said: “Boss Pio, as he was fondly called by everyone, was a tough leader who braved through any challenge while still having the capacity to be compassionate to others.”

Benavidez was a mechanical engineer trained in power plant operations and maintenance, particularly in geothermal-based generators.

“He paved new roads for his people to tread on, he generously shared and taught his knowledge and experience, and has devotedly loved public service since day one in 1974,” Napocor said.

Benavidez first worked for Napocor in 1974, but later joined the private sector. He was then appointed president and CEO of Napocor in 2017.