Win Gatchalian Exposes Alleged Anomalies of Cusi, Other DOE Officials
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and other officials because of their alleged anomalies in the agency.
Gatchalian urged Cusi and 11 other Department of Energy (DOE) officials for alleged abnormalities in their agency in a privilege speech titled “Lutong Macau na nga.” Cusi and his employees should face criminal and administrative charges for alleged corruption, gross negligence of duty, and misbehavior, according to the senator.
This is the outcome of a Senate Committee on Energy study. According to the investigation, the DOE rushed to authorize the sale of 45 percent of Chevron’s stock to UC Malampaya, a subsidiary of Udenna Corp. that he claimed lacked financial capacity.
“Ako ay nanawagan kay Secretary Cusi at kaniyang mga subordinates na magbitiw na sa puwesto sa lalong madaling panahon,” Gatchalian said.
“Matapos ang lahat ng nangyari, hindi na kayo mapagkakatiwalaan pa ng sambayanang Pilipino dahil hindi kayo naging tapat sa pangangalaga ng kaisa-isang pinagkukunan ng bansa ng natural gas,” he added.
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According to the Senate Energy Committee, the company’s initial working capital was -$ 137.2 million (P6.9 billion). He said that when the DOE did a financial study, it was UC 38 LLC, which is owned by Chevron Malampaya, and not UC Malampaya.
Chevron shares sold to UC Malampaya were believed to be worth $ 565 million, or P40 billion. Furthermore, Cusi’s policy is thought to be shifting. Initially, he stated that the DOE would have to sanction the sale of the shares.
At a Senate hearing, he stated that DOE permission was no longer required. Malampaya is significant, according to Gatchalian, since it is where the electricity that lighting 4.5 million houses in Mega Manila originates from.
“Ang batas ay batas. Ang sinumang lalabag dito ay dapat panagutin. Nananawagan ako sa mga awtoridad na agad na magsampa ng mga kasong administratibo at kriminal laban kay Secretary Alfonso Cusi na nag-apruba sa Chevron-UC Malampaya at ibang opisyal ng DOE na sumuri ng naturang kasunduan,” Gatchalian said.
Following Cusi’s statement, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon recommended that the assembly approve a resolution calling for the Ombudsman and Civil Service Commission to initiate criminal and administrative proceedings against him. Senators Bong Revilla, Ronald Dela Rosa, and Francis Tolentino, as well as Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, abstained because they requested a Bill of Particulars or entire information.
Cusi indicated in a statement that he will respond to Gatchalian’s findings. He earlier stated that the filing of a corruption charge against him for selling Cheveron’s shares in Uy’s firm constituted harassment. He claims that the Duterte government is being discredited, and that the agreement is being spun into a major problem as a result.
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