Ombudsman files graft vs ex-DOE chief Cusi, 4 others

Former Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi and four other former officials of the Department of Energy (DOE) were charged with graft by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedly railroaded approval of the sale of substantial shares in the Malampaya gas project to a company owned by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy in 2019.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

In a press statement issued yesterday, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) confirmed that a case of graft has been filed by the ombudsman against Cusi and other former DOE officials.

"The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) confirms that a case involving the Malampaya gas project has been filed with the Sandiganbayan against — among others — PDP acting chairman and former Energy secretary Alfonso G. Cusi," PDP spokesman Ferdinand Topacio, said.

"It must be emphasized that this is the same case that was previously dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman, which found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Sec. Cusi," he added.

Topacio said the ombudsman's reversal of its previous resolution is the subject of their camp's pending petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court.

Thus, Topacio said, out of respect to the SC and in adherence to the sub judice rule, the PDP "will not comment further on the merits" of the case.