The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a graft charge against former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and four other former Department of Energy (DOE) officials in connection with the 2019 sale of Chevron’s stake in the Malampaya gas project to Udenna Corp.
Charged alongside Cusi were former DOE officials Donato Dionisio Marcos, Robert Uy, Leonido Pulido III, and Cesar Dela Fuente III, all accused of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Cusi’s camp, however, said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint. His lawyer insisted they have only heard reports of the case’s filing.
“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,” PDP Deputy Spokesperson Ferdinand Topacio said.
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), where Cusi currently serves as acting chairman, confirmed the Ombudsman’s move but stressed that the case had previously been dismissed for lack of evidence.
Topacio added that the Ombudsman’s reversal is already under review before the Supreme Court.
“Out of respect to that institution and the principle of sub judice, we will not comment further on the merits thereof,” he said, urging the Court to resolve the matter “with dispatch.”