North South Jorunal news team 
The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and four other former officials of the Department of Energy (DOE) for alleged graft over the controversial sale of Chevron’s stake in the Malampaya gas project to Udenna Corp. in 2019.
Charged alongside Cusi were former DOE officials Donato Dionisio Marcos, Robert Uy, Leonido Pulido III, and Cesar Dela Fuente III for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The case has been filed before the Sandiganbayan.
In a statement, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) confirmed the indictment, with deputy spokesperson and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio stressing that the Ombudsman had previously dismissed the same complaint for lack of evidence. He said the reversal is now pending review before the Supreme Court.
Cusi’s legal counsel Ruy Rondain said they have yet to receive official documents, calling reports of the indictment “unconfirmed.” He added they will formally respond once they obtain confirmation.
Complainants earlier alleged that the deal resulted in losses of at least P21 billion to P42 billion for the government, claiming that Cusi and other officials conspired to give undue advantage to businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who previously led Senate hearings on the matter, welcomed the indictment, saying it validated concerns of irregularities in the deal. He emphasized that due diligence was disregarded, putting private interests over public welfare.
“This is a victory for accountability,” Gatchalian said.
