Cusi, 4 ex-DOE execs post bail in Malampaya case

Former Department of Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi and four other former officials of the DOE posted bail for their graft charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, in connection with the supposed 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 DAPHNE GALVEZ

Cusi, along with former undersecretaries Donato Dionisio Marcos and Robert Biron Uy, assistant secretary Leonido Jimenez Pulido II and director Cesar Gaba dela Fuente III, posted bail amounting to P90,000 each on Sept. 10, based on an order from the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

They are facing a case of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, according to a record from the ombudsman's Office of the Special Prosecutor.

Their arraignment and pretrial are set on Oct. 1. They were likewise required to appear before the court on Sept. 24, 25 and 26 for the marking of exhibits, stipulation of facts and other matters.